Vulcanised rubber gearbox / freewheel cover .. rivets along the bottom of each side

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Frost015
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 3:48 pm
Location: Stamford (Lincs)

Vulcanised rubber gearbox / freewheel cover .. rivets along the bottom of each side

Post by Frost015 » Wed Oct 28, 2020 11:58 am

Just wondering what the low level run of 4 rivets each side of the tunnel are for ? ... They hold small square pieces of green leather in place inside the tunnel. Was something more substantial originally inside the tunnel ? What was its purpose ?? Thanks to anyone who can enlighten me!
https://www.rover-forum.thersr.co.uk/do ... iew&id=187
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Underneath gearbox cover
Underneath gearbox cover
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1936 Rover 12 Saloon

TonyG
Posts: 288
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2015 4:38 pm

Re: Vulcanised rubber gearbox / freewheel cover .. rivets along the bottom of each side

Post by TonyG » Sat Oct 31, 2020 3:27 pm

Hi Ian,

The only thought I have is that the rivet is there to hold or locate the tunnel carpet in place. The squares of leather may just be to add some strength to the rivet through the rubber so it doesn’t pull through. What is on the outside? I’d almost expect there to be a stud of some kind, which may look like the head of a rivet. That’s my guess but look forward to hearing more educated responses! By the way, the original rubber tunnel covers are quite sought after so take of yours, it appears to be in good condition.

How is the restoration of your 12 going by the way?

Tony.
Tony Gilbert

P1 12 Tourer
P2 12 6 Light Saloon
Discovery 3
Discovery Sport

Frost015
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 3:48 pm
Location: Stamford (Lincs)

Re: Vulcanised rubber gearbox / freewheel cover .. rivets along the bottom of each side

Post by Frost015 » Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:41 pm

Hi Tony,
Ah ! That’s a good suggestion .. there are rivet heads showing through on the carpet side, but no signs of how this might have attached to the carpet .. would have been a good way to help the carpet (and or underlay) to conform to the profile of the tunnel.
The tunnel itself was in very poor condition, but have managed to save it, with a few more final repairs and reprofiling bits of work yet to do. Have followed method suggested by Chris Dancey ( stainless steel mesh bonded to the tunnel with a construction grade flexible adhesive .. in my case Black CT1 .. I swear by it for many many jobs!). For less severely damaged areas (cracks and weak areas), have been using CT1 to bond 2-mm thick rubber sheeting (with a fabric inter layer for dimensional stability) .. a bit like a gigantic inner tube repair.

Restoration has been slow (I guess that’s normal!), but now have the car resprayed (Black over light grey), and it’s all coming together well. Objective is late spring / early summer 2021 to get it on the road. Struggling with exactly where to run wiring (and which bits go inside of metal flexible conduit), but will get there ...

Thanks,

Ian
1936 Rover 12 Saloon

Frost015
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 3:48 pm
Location: Stamford (Lincs)

Re: Vulcanised rubber gearbox / freewheel cover .. rivets along the bottom of each side

Post by Frost015 » Sun Nov 01, 2020 12:43 pm

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1936 Rover 12 Saloon

BillMcCreath
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2020 9:56 pm

Re: Vulcanised rubber gearbox / freewheel cover .. rivets along the bottom of each side

Post by BillMcCreath » Wed Nov 04, 2020 10:10 pm

Hi Ian,

Re your query on your gearbox rubber cover -1936 12hp.
My experience is that the rubber gearbox cover is screwed to the wooden floor using wood screws (round or pan head slotted) with large penny washers located over the large diameter moulded holes in the bottom flange of the cover. Then the piece of 1/2" thick latex / rubber covered sound deadening felt is placed over the rubber cover and then the gearbox piece of carpet is fitted over ditto. There would be no carpet between the floor and the gearbox rubber cover flange.

Are you sure your rubber gearbox cover is an original? I do not see any of the large diameter rubber plugs on top face to top up gearbox oil, or the plug on the side to access the gearbox dip stick.

The bits you are seeing on the underside of cover maybe from an earlier patch repair.
I have had to repair my own gearbox cover with a light sheet aluminium angle piece where the rubber was disolving at the right angle to due oil contamination.

All the best.

Bill McCreath

Frost015
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 3:48 pm
Location: Stamford (Lincs)

Re: Vulcanised rubber gearbox / freewheel cover .. rivets along the bottom of each side

Post by Frost015 » Thu Nov 05, 2020 4:47 pm

Thanks Bill, all good points .. I had not considered that the cover might not be an original , but as you say, there are no access plugs to top up or check oil. I was planning to cut some holes for exactly these purposes, as removing the cover to check and add oil makes no sense.

Anyway, it’s now holding up well, so will cut the holes, add some sort of hole covers, and ultimately screw down as you have indicated.

Ian
1936 Rover 12 Saloon

BillMcCreath
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Joined: Wed Jul 22, 2020 9:56 pm

Re: Vulcanised rubber gearbox / freewheel cover .. rivets along the bottom of each side

Post by BillMcCreath » Thu Nov 05, 2020 8:42 pm

Hi Ian, again!

Yes, I am sure the rubber gearbox cover you have is non Rover maybe for an Austin or Morris 1930's model where replicas have been made for a long number of years and possibly available before Mike Couldry marketed his. Just an idea though.

Meteor Spares ( M.c) have the correct rubber plugs for sale, they are about 3 inch dia and have a moulded groove like the originals (part No 71727) that clip/ have a snug fit over the thickness of the gearbox rubber cover. They have a moulded finger grip as well to make them easier to remove. Perhaps worth checking out and thus cut your two holes to suit the proper plugs?

All the best,

Bill

Frost015
Posts: 21
Joined: Wed Oct 10, 2018 3:48 pm
Location: Stamford (Lincs)

Re: Vulcanised rubber gearbox / freewheel cover .. rivets along the bottom of each side

Post by Frost015 » Fri Nov 06, 2020 8:12 am

Thanks again Bill,

I would only say that it’s a very good fit it if comes off another 1930’s make .. Perhaps it’s a 1950’s (or earlier or later) 3rd party copy of a Rover one. It’s well made though!

Back to the wiring today ....

Ian
1936 Rover 12 Saloon

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