No worries, thanks for the possibilities.
Knowing my luck, I'm not expecting a simple fix.
Will let all know when problem is unveiled.

After checking the gear linkages for slop You could also drain the oil and see how many bits drop out
That would at least give you an idea before dropping out the engine for no reason?

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1969 Cooper "S"
1967 Mini Deluxe
1973 Clubman Van (the fleet spare)
1978 ex 1275 LS ("Wizard" Eaton Supercharged)
2015 HSV GenF GTS(occasional drive & tow car)
2019 MINI F55 Cooper S

see,,, sensible external work to see internal conditions

just another diagnosis tool

the key is diagnosis

it`s like "measure twice, cut once" , sort of thing

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

Great advice
, Almost any mechanic can fix a problem with a Mini or any other car for that Matter, The real difference between a Mechanic and a Great mechanic is His or her
ability to know what needs Fixing, but as Matt says Very Hard without seeing The Car

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" A Hundred Years From Now It will not Matter what my Bank Acount Was,
The Sort Of House I Lived in, Or The Kind Of Car I drove ... But The World May Be A Better Place
Because I was Once Important In The Life Of A Child"