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MG MGB Technical - 2nd gear surface finish

G'day. I thought I'd start a new thread for this. Here are two pics of 2nd and 3rd gears. 2nd has a dull finish and third a shiny smooth finish.

is this correct for 2nd or am I up for a new gear cluster.

Thanks

Tony
Tony Oliver

First picture

Tony Oliver

Second picture

Tony Oliver

Tony it looks like your are through the case hardening
S Sherry

Thanks Sean. I forgot to mention that it is the later gear cluster that uses the steel sync ring. Does your answer still apply? I sort of hope (pray)it doesn't as it means more money!

Cheers

Tony
Tony Oliver

The 3rd gear appears typical of gears using brass synchros. If the cone is not too worn I'd just go with a new 3rd synchro if even that is needed. I reused my very old 3/4 syncros with no problem. Note there have been complaints about poorly made after-market brass synchros.

The 2nd gear appears to be one for steel synchros. According to the archives they have a matt sintered metal appearance. This is needed to get the right friction characteristics with the steel sychro. From what I can read failure is a flaking off of the sintered metal. Looks like you're good to go after you get a new steel synchro. Archive indicate some problems with the steel rings in the past but they seem to be past that now.

By the way, have you been have 2nd gear problems?
Robert McCoy

Thanks Robert. The third gear is not a problem, I included it as an example of what the other gears looked like for comparison purposes.

I started to have problems about 500Km after an o'haul of the box. At first it was a smooth change from 3rd to 2nd but suddenly and rapidly it stated to crunch on the change. It seemed to be OK one day and not the next, thats how quickly it deteriorated. The brass sync ring I had inadvertently fitted shows signs of wear. There was also a lot of brass "dust" in the oil.

As mentioned in the other thread, I did remove a steel ring but on ordering a new set I got three brass rings and simply assumed that they were interchangeable.

Cheers

Tony
Tony Oliver

You should be just fine with the new steel synchro. Now you know why the brass one got ground down.

Update the thread after you're done to let us know how it worked.
Robert McCoy

Thanks Robert. Will do.

Tony
Tony Oliver

Tony,
The 4 syncro gearboxes had what is called a 'scinted' coating on the gear. You MUST use a steel baulk ring on these gears. Using a bronze baulk ring has worn this coating off. If you ordered baulk rings for a post 68 MGB then he should have supplied steel rings. If this is so I would tell the supplier that he needs to replace your 2nd gear and a set of new steel baulk rings. Bronze baulk rings were used on 3 syncro pre 68 cars. If you want any further info my email is bagger05@clear.net.nz
Garth
Garth Bagnall

I don't see any bronze coating on the surface, but I would guess it's worth a close look. How would you clean it off if there was a residue of bronze there? I just don't want you to put it all back together and have it slip because of this possibility.
Tom

Thanks gents. The brass ring was only in the box for about 500Km and although it shows signs of wear I am fairly happy that the gear is not damaged.

I'll see how it goes this week when it all goes back together.

Tony
Tony Oliver

This thread was discussed between 31/12/2008 and 05/01/2009

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