Re: [DML] re:Engine Swaps and tranny Questions (Buick Version-LONG)

[webmaster@xxxx]

> ---On Rich's car, the transmission had failed in a somewhat common DMC
> manner, i.e. the large nut that holds the main shaft together unscrewed
> itself through the back end of the shift housing. I've seen this failure on
> several stock cars so I'm not sure it was related to the high horsepower,

I had this problem too, and it was thanks to Dave that it was quickly diagnosed and easily fixed - new nut and a bit of ally welding locally. However in conversation with my engine guy - Renault fanatic and veteran of working on many many PRVs (including his own Renault 30 - identical gearbox), was told that he had never seen this failure. This runs through low powered R25's and 30s right up to the 400+hp Alpine A610's. According to Stainless Steel Illusion, no assembly was done at the DMC plant except for the underbodies, yet it was Darren's guess that our DMC gearboxes were not assembled correctly (the nut that comes loose has a flange that is meant to be bent down into the flat on the shaft to prevent it coming loose). Given what he thought of the engine tuning procedures stated in the DMC manual, has repeated many times that he thinks Renault were trying to "stitch DMC up"....

FWIW my gearbox nut went back on with Loctite AND properly bent flange.

Martin
#1458
#4426