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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Gearbox

Hello all,

My gearbox is buggered. Horrible grating noise in first - presume its a bearing gone.

I've been given a spare box which needs cleaning up. I'm going to have the bell housing off - clean it up and paint it.

I am planning on swapping my clutch slave over and release bearing and puller...

As for the box... it needs cleaning through (thought I'd use parafin). I plan to stick it in gear and wind it over by hand to see if its okay. Is there anything I can look for visually to check it over?

Is there anything else you'd do before you put it in? Change oil seals etc? Or the speedo drive?

Cheers,
Christian
C L Carter

I don't know if turning it by hand will help locate any problems but it won't hurt.

Before I put it in, I'd change every gasket and seal before I installed it. Be a right pain the butt to have to pull the entire engine/gearbox again for a cheap gasket/seal!
Clive Reddin

I would remove the side cover and shift through the gears, making sure they all work. A worn transmission can let the first gear slide too far aft and get jammed. Better for it to jam/ explode on the bench. Use a small telescopic mirror to see as much of the laygear as possible.
CJCharvet

Christian

It would help if you identified which model, as at least some of the advice above is only applicable to A-series engined cars, not your 1500.
Dave O'Neill2

Christian mentions taking the bell housing off so I guess it's a 1500
David Smith

Yes... sorry its a 1500... 1979 (I think the box is also from a 79 - athough it could be a 78)

Noted. I inteded to replace all the gaskets... i think there are only 4. But what about the lip/oil seals?

C
C L Carter

David, yes, I had spotted that, but CJCharvet obviously hadn't.

Also, not all Spridget owners know that a 1500 has a separate bellhousing.
Dave O'Neill2

Obviously.
CJCharvet

CJ, it wasn't meant to sound like that! LOL

I also had to look at another of Christian's posts to identify it as a 1500.
Dave O'Neill2

I know, I was just messing with you. :)
CJCharvet

I'd replace seal, gaskets and bearings....

But then I would wouldn't I....

Mark.
M T Boldry

I have slipped it in and out of every gear now... (slight noise in first - but I think thats cos the reverse spur is running along with it)... I have filled it with cheap engine oil and run it at slow speed on my lathe... to clear out the old gunk and nastisness... drained and repeated a couple of times.

have cleaned up the bell housing and box and painted it with smoothrite... looks the business now... shame noones ever going to see it!

I have replaced the gaskets... have not bothered with bearings as its too much of a pain and if they then it gives me an excuse to do it all again in a few years.

As for the seals... contrary to the diagram on the MGOC parts website... there is no rubber oils seal at the bellhousing end... there is a metal seal with many concentric grooves to retain the oil... so won't change that... and I didn't bother taking the rear extension off in the end so won't bother with the rear seal.

Am looking forward to the quick changeover now!

Thanks for the comments
Christian
C L Carter

This thread was discussed between 20/12/2011 and 27/12/2011

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