mk1 corti gearbox floor mount?

[matt1302]

Hi guys, I'm working on a mk1 cortina at the moment (in the projects section under "Grandpa's old mk1 corti). It's a stock standard 440 with 1500 and column 4 speed. i'm just wondering if anyone out there can tell me if I can change it easily to a floor shift? Here are some photos of the current set up with the cover taken off the gearbox. Can I just change this?

Also, I read somewhere about a single rail box and cortina's. I have a spare single rail out of an xw. Will this fit or is it too much stuffing about? Seems to be ity would be a fair amount of work as it seems to be a much bigger box. I'm guessing it would also mean playing with tail shaft lengths as well? Anyway, thanks in advance for your help.

[V8falcons]

matt1302

that appears to be a 2000e (3 rail) gearbox,fit a mk2 GT remote shifter and away you go .
The only prob with these boxes is they dont hold alot of torque.

An easier gearbox conversion may be a single rail escort 4 speed which I believe are different to the 6 cyl 4 speed.

[hendrixhc]

HI Matt1302.

The column shift selector shafts are different to the floor shift. I changed mine over about 23 years ago but was lucky enough to pick up a good SH box for $50 back then. The floor shift box was an easy swap over.

If you can try to get the remote shifter as well. The long stick shift was a pain and I managed to snap it off twice. No problems with the remote!

Check the image and you will see the difference in the selector shafts.

Good luck.

[matt1302]

Cheers for your help their guys! It looks like I'm going to have to find another box or put up with the column shift to start with. Could be interesting doing hill climbs etc with a column shift!!

[phil te corty]

The box is definitely different!
YOu can get a floor change box and put it straight in with long 'wobble' shift easily or you can use a remote shift from GT which goes for at least $150 and you will want a console to cover the remote shift.

You can put in the later 'single rail' out of escort/capri but will need to cut tunnel and reweld to get rid of the dip just behind the shift. Not a hard job.

These solutions only apply to bucket seat cars as the remote or single rail will clash with seat.

Hang on to your column shift parts and box (and the steering box has handbrake mount for the dash handbrake too) they may be worth something one day.

[cortina-mk1]

there is a remote shifter gearbox on ebay at the moment