2a wont go into 3rd or 4th

Hi, I'm completely new to land rovers & bought my first one a week ago from my friend who's driven them for nearly 15 years. Its a 1964 2a, with an over drive fitted.

In the week since buying it its gotten me from sheffield to bakewell & then sheff to nottingham fine whilst the overdrive was disconnected/turned off. Yesterday my friend & I hooked the lever up once more & I've started using in 3rd & 4th. Today it's gotten me to work & back brilliantly, no complaints, no funny noises or anything. 4 hours later, however, & I cant get into 3rd or 4th. reverse, 1st & 2nd all working ok in both Hi & Low but i'm only getting half way movement & a grinding noise in 3rd, & it slips all the way into 4th but doesn't move despite massive revs.

I've noticed over the week that there's a lot of oil around what I'm assuming is the gear/transfer box & where the lever is on the underside of the car. I've checked the fluid levels (small metal cylinder at back left of engine) & that's full. The oil stick is also telling me full. My mate recons its not got enough oil in it, but i'm stumped on how to check!? :doh:

The landrover series 2 & 2a workshop manual suggest's "Incorrect adjustment of the gear change mechnism" or "clutch spinning or sticking on the pinion shaft" Can anybody advise who's already had the same problem?? cheers!

Oh yes, I've also noticed a lot of blue smoke pumping out when I start it up

Ask your "friend" why he disconnected the overdrive.
The oil level in gearbox (which is not the problem) is checked by a level plug(square head sticking out from) passenger side of gearbox.
It sounds as overdrive is OK otherwise no drive in 1 and 2 , but likely to be selector problem , will need top off gearbox where gearlever goes in . HTSH

He was going to sell the over drive separately, but I asked him to keep it on for me. I'll check when I get home. Cheers.

By far the best bet in this case is to start trying to find Series Owner who lives near you.

However, you don't tell us where you are, so no-one can offer to have a look.

If your description is good "i'm only getting half way movement & a grinding noise in 3rd, & it slips all the way into 4th but doesn't move despite massive revs." then I fear the 3rd-4th synchro hub has failed, or perhaps there's a bearing collapse at the input shaft or laygear front end.

Whatever, it sounds as if the box might need to come out for a repair BUT .... it might just be selectors needing attention, and that's a lot less bother.

If you don't (yet) have enough experience to be able to diagnose the problem, let LandyZone listers have an idea where you are, and someone will probably come over and have a look for you.

I suggest no more driving till you know what's up doc.

CharlesY

Cheers. You're right, I've not got enough experience to tackle this alone. My mate is coming to look at the selector tonight, if that doesn't work then I guess I'm looking at taking the gear box out. I'm in Sheffield, Gleadless if any body's feeling generous