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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Costello GearBox

I have just purchased a new Costello Gearbox
which I am going to use in my factory MGBGTV8 ( it has been sittning in a box for years).
The trouble is I have absolutley no information about
the gearbox. Can anyone supply information about this gearbox such as;
What oil should be used, what parts are available or
common to other gearboxes etc, any special install instructions ie sealing between the bell housing and gearbox, where and who manufactures the pats.
Donald Witcombe

Go to http://google.com and search for "costello gearbox". Quite a few likely links amongst the ones to "Elvis Costello" and "Abbot and Costello" ...
Paul Hunt

When I last spoke to Ken (Costello) he was having the gearboxes made in small numbers by an Indian engineering company. I have not been able to see anything other than an exploded diagram of all the parts. I think it actually split in two down the centre line. I have expereince of one of the early production versions attached to a 4.3 litre injected V8 in a GT and the change was a little notchy and impresice. Ratios were superb though and once experienced with the 'feel' of the box the shift quality improved.

Ken Costello used to live near Orpington in Kent in a small village whose name escapes me. There was some interest in the design from various quarters but Ken was unable to reach any agreements with them. This restricted production to very small numbers and I have no idea whether it is still being produced.

Rog
Roger Parker

There was an article a while back in Classic and Sportscar which mentioned the facts that Roger has brought up-I have only seen one car fitted with the gearbox-all the pictures that I have seen confirm it as splitting down the centre line .It apparently id designed to fit without modification into a B tunnel.There is also a picture of possibly the same installation that Roger refers to from the underside in Roger Williams book.This also shows as small alloy sump which I believe was originally designed for Rover V8 installation into a Triumph Stag...
I seem to remember reading somewhere that Ken is currently developing a new gearbox for TVR-I bet that Roger might know more about this-or perhaps sombody who also knows more about current developments at TVR.....?

Regards

John Bourke
John Bourke

Ken's g/box is a little gem, biggest problem is getting hold of one! I stripped one down with Ken whilst in the States,the box came out of my good friend's car Robin Whetherall from St Louis,his car is in DAK's book v8 21 on,the box took about 20mins to remove from the car and another 20 mins to strip!From memory we used engine oil but can't be certain as it was at least 6 years ago.
Mike.
mikesatur

John and Donald,
the issue of the Classic and Sportscar that ran about a five page spread (and the cover shot as well) on Ken Costello was the November 1990 issue. That article gave Mr. Costello's contact number as 0278 433517, albeit a decade ago.
c.
Curtis

This thread was discussed between 06/08/2000 and 15/08/2000

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