Pepa - how do i check for play on the gearstick bearings? In any gear the gearstick does move from side to side but as it's my first ford i'm not sure how much is normal?
you should be able to just feel it,
if it moves, but still feels solid when you change gear, then it should be ok..
if you put it in gear and the stick still moves: up; down or left and right, then the bearing is probebly on its way out... basicly if it feels like a pen jabed in jelly then its screwed.
Also, can anyone tell me if I need to drop the engine down to get the box off if needed?
i think the engine can stay where it was but you will have to remove the front and rear props first, the engine is supported forwads/backwards by the gearbox mount so it should lean back enough when you drop the gearbox.
someone correct me if im wrong...