MkII Escort Gearbox, Mount and Crossmember

[Colonel57]

Two of my sons dirt track race Mk11 Escort which is fitted with a 2 litre and 4 speed. The car was originally a 1600 but already had the 2 litre in it when they purchased it.

After an incident the last time they raced it became necessary to replace the front suspension cross member and the gearbox. Both replacements were purchased as suitable for a 2 litre.

However when refitting engine and gearbox to the car it no longer fits. The gear lever now finishes up behind the hole in the hole that that it should be coming thru. The gear lever is not actually fitted but this would be the scenario if it was. Also because of this the gearbox wont go high enough in the tunnel to fit the rear mount.

What is the problem?? Could it be a cortina gearbox as opposed to an escort? I dont see what else it could be. Unfortunately I dont have the old gearbox to compare them side by side but I always understood all escort gearboxes were the same.