4 speed g/box

[Reckless Rat]

My RP still has the original 4 speed crash box, which suffered a similar problem with 3rd gear. On any hill I had to hold it in gear. Replacing the detent balls & springs sorted it. However, in all the years I have owned the car I can probably count on the fingers of one hand the number of times I have had to use first gear. I always set off in second, and if it's slightly downhill I can do it in 3rd. The ratios in the later synchro gearboxes are slightly different but even so first is so low that it's not worth the trouble.

Standard Gear ratios are:   Crash   1st, 1:4.44  2nd 1:2.74  3rd 1: 1.73 Top 1:1   Reverse 1: 5.69

                                       2/3 SYN  1st, 1:4.37  2nd 1:2.64  3rd 1: 1.66 Top 1:1   Reverse 1:5.61