1st gear bushing replacement.

I take it that fitting a bush in a new gear would be the bush in the fridge and heat the gear ?? If not, what is the method ? Roy.

The yaki said:

I take it that fitting a bush in a new gear would be the bush in the fridge and heat the gear ?? If not, what is the method ? Roy.

Click to expand...

Yep
Bush in the freezer and heat the pinion then you will probably you'll need to ream the bush to fit

Thanks. Not tried reaming a bearing. Will investigate! Roy.

The layshaft first gear bush should be a press fit using a small arbor press or a suitable bench vise with a socket to help push the bushing into the gear. I've used a drill press quill to do it, as you don't need a lot of pressure.
If they are bushes purchased from AN then these should not need any reaming. Just use a little oil on them before pressing them home. No need to heat the gear up. That's my experience. Same with the 4th gear sleeve gear with the two bushes. Press fit no heat no reaming. I personally choose the MkIII bushes as these are longer than the earlier year gearboxes. More bearing surface to stop them moving about. Place the bushes in a jar of oil the night before installing. YMMV.
short:
long MKIII:

No need to heat the gear . Soak the bush in oil , freeze it , tap into place very gently , it's very delicate . Do not reem after . You want it quite firm on the shaft , sliding yet firm to it . This thin delicate bush can break or wear out . Selecting first or neutral relies on 1 st. gear bush being somewhat tight on shaft .

I do the same as CNN except I heat the gear to 300F in my oven. That reduces the interference fit to a nearly hand push fit and stresses the bushing less without damaging the gear. Don't even need to bother with a press. Totally agree on Mk 3 bushings and oil soak if oilite.