sydr Posted 27June, 2020 Report Share Posted 27June, 2020 My current project is the restoration of a very rare sports car, a 1935 Riley Imp. A complete Imp is a tiny device and looks like this: These delightful cars were often fitted with a pre-select gearbox, the forerunner of a flappy paddle system. There are something over 1,000 parts in the gearbox, and it requires a true specialised knowledge to service or repair it. As a result I have to ship my gearbox to a specialist in England and I'm looking for advice on how best to airfreight it. Does anyone on our forum have shipping connections? I can make a crate for the gearbox myself, but before I start does anyone have a better idea? JV911 and Spectre 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
9er Posted 27June, 2020 Report Share Posted 27June, 2020 Not a lot of help I know, but if you can find an off the shelf plastic tub and lid that will do the job it will save a headache. As wood is not always received well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFX Posted 27June, 2020 Report Share Posted 27June, 2020 I sent my engine to the US and I just used some big tough plastic boxes from Bunnings. Much lighter and easier than building one and when you are paying for weight it is a decent saving over wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airhead Posted 27June, 2020 Report Share Posted 27June, 2020 Have you spoken with John or Ben Needham at Old Car Gearboxes in Melbourne? Specialists in vintage gearboxes. Or Paul Chaleyer at Historic & Vintage Restorations in Blackburn. That Imp is the Ducks Guts by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevepGT3 Posted 27June, 2020 Report Share Posted 27June, 2020 1 hour ago, Airhead said: Have you spoken with John or Ben Needham at Old Car Gearboxes in Melbourne? Specialists in vintage gearboxes. Or Paul Chaleyer at Historic & Vintage Restorations in Blackburn. That Imp is the Ducks Guts by the way. Actually saw John needham restore my old next door neighbors Riley falcon’s preselector box, was 40 or so years ago though, bloody weird thing to use Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelrik911 Posted 28June, 2020 Report Share Posted 28June, 2020 I think you are right to send it to UK for fixing. If shipping by air use a big plastic toolbox or sea make a wooden box. Its sad but John N. seems past his prime and we are hearing of a few failures on even simple old gearboxes. These skilled older chaps are semi-retiring and IMO the newer people are not experienced enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydr Posted 28June, 2020 Author Report Share Posted 28June, 2020 Thanks Guys, 12 minutes ago, Zelrik911 said: I think you are right to send it to UK for fixing. If shipping by air use a big plastic toolbox or sea make a wooden box. Its sad but John N. seems past his prime and we are hearing of a few failures on even simple old gearboxes. These skilled older chaps are semi-retiring and IMO the newer people are not experienced enough. John N has repaired a few basic gearboxes for me in days gone by; the last few weren't too successful. So I agree with your comments which are supported by my experience. How did the box in your photograph cope with the trip and where did you source it? 18 hours ago, MFX said: I sent my engine to the US and I just used some big tough plastic boxes from Bunnings. Much lighter and easier than building one and when you are paying for weight it is a decent saving over wood I really like the plastic box idea but doubt that Bunnings have anything robust enough although I'll go and have a look. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MFX Posted 28June, 2020 Report Share Posted 28June, 2020 1 hour ago, sydr said: I really like the plastic box idea but doubt that Bunnings have anything robust enough although I'll go and have a look. You obviously pack it tight with bubble wrap, etc, and it worked well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zelrik911 Posted 28June, 2020 Report Share Posted 28June, 2020 6 hours ago, sydr said: Thanks Guys, John N has repaired a few basic gearboxes for me in days gone by; the last few weren't too successful. So I agree with your comments which are supported by my experience. How did the box in your photograph cope with the trip and where did you source it? I really like the plastic box idea but doubt that Bunnings have anything robust enough although I'll go and have a look. The box was from a Home Depot store in LA. it was in the "Truck Accessories / Truck Tool Boxes / Chest Truck Tool Boxes" section. Being from USA it had cup/stubby-holders moulded into the lid! Gearbox came from US (LA) to Melb. and survived the journey without damage, it was also wrapped in big bubble wrap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwoHeadsTas Posted 28June, 2020 Report Share Posted 28June, 2020 On 27/06/2020 at 12:55, sydr said: My current project is the restoration of a very rare sports car, a 1935 Riley Imp. A complete Imp is a tiny device and looks like this: These delightful cars were often fitted with a pre-select gearbox, the forerunner of a flappy paddle system. There are something over 1,000 parts in the gearbox, and it requires a true specialised knowledge to service or repair it. As a result I have to ship my gearbox to a specialist in England and I'm looking for advice on how best to airfreight it. Does anyone on our forum have shipping connections? I can make a crate for the gearbox myself, but before I start does anyone have a better idea? I haven't seen David's Imp for a while, I had forgotten how beautiful they are!! You will be very pleased to finish your resto and be able to drive it 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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