Thanks Gerry, I had tried that (I think you have told me several times to do it that way ). I got a good light and shined in there and tried to see what was going on. I hadn't driven the shaft in far enough so the C washers couldn't sit in. A couple of gentle whacks with the rubber mallet on the pinion ..... and they the C clip wouldn't fit at all ..... The gap was to narrow. So a gentle tap on the nose of the shaft create the exact clearance to get the C washers back in (Let me guess, I'll need to do this another 20times before its finally done .... so will have plenty of practice!). The dial gauge arrived in the post yesterday, so hopefully over the next couple of weeks I can bolt this 'box back into the car ..... Then find what else is worn out and broken on itDo it with the box vertical! Lever the second fixed speed up to insert the half locking collars. A screw driver is useful here!
Maybe the manufacturer didn't think some nutter would be still trying to drive the car 70years down the track!
seeya
Shane L.