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MG TD TF 1500 - Bellhousing gasket

I am replacing the gearbox in my TD. When I separated the gearbox and bellhousing there was a gasket between them - see photos. However, there is no gasket shown on the workshop manual and I have not seen anyone listing them for sale. So I wonder if the gasket in my car was a home made one and should not be there. Does anyone know if there should be a gasket here or not? If not, do people just assemble with no gasket or maybe use a sealant? Incidentally, there was no gasket between the bellhousing and engine either, which I assume to be correct.
Thanks
Pete





P Willows

There should be a gasket between the bellhousing and the gearbox.I just make up paper ones with sealant.
The strange thing is that the parts list/drawings do not show or mention it in either the box or bellhousing pages.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Wonder if it is not shown in diagrams as it did/does not exist?

I ran a bead of sealant around the parts where oil may get, 2 boxes that I pulled/obtained had no gasket, but evidence of sealant existed on both.

I had a box rebuilt, necessary gaskets shipped with it, not one for that area.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

The only reason I could see for no gasket is the retaining circlip on the bearing. I then remembered that the rear bearing has a similar circlip.
I think I will continue with a gasket as the box is a PITA to take out.
As to the new gasket set having no gasket, most of the gasket sets now have a gasket for the cover of the oil pump. If you use it you will soon have to take the engine out again when it leaks.
When not If
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Thanks for those responses - maybe I'll use a gasket as unlikely to do any harm and may prevent a leak.
P Willows

I don’t know how we got to oil pump rebuild kit having a gasket…

I have looked at about 6 illustrations showing that the gasket goes between the pump and the block. It clearly exists, and it’s placement is very obvious.

Now, back to the gearbox/bell housing interface, no gasket is shown in any parts diagram. There is no pressure, sealant will do a great job. If it needed a gasket it would be easy to make and freely available if necessary. Maybe I need to make some and sell if needed.

Thoughts
P G Gilvarry

NTG lists the front transmission gasket.

https://www.mgbits.com/contents/en-uk/p4199_Gasket-Rear-Gearbox-Case.html
Bruce Cunha

Sorry PG,
It was just to demonstrate you cannot rely on either parts lists or suppliers.You need to use engineering knowledge and common sense.
The oil pump gasket I mentioned is an extra one cut to match the oil pump cover.
Ray
Ray Lee

Bruce, that gasket goes between the gearbox and the extension housing at the rear of the gearbox.

Peter
P G Gilvarry

Peter. Where does the third one go? One on the top. One on the back one on the front?
Bruce Cunha

One gasket each: shifter extension, top cover, and rear case to main case. Nothing in the front. George
George Butz III

Got it. I forgot the shifter tower
Bruce Cunha

Normally there's no gasket , but the surface needs to be sealed up to stop oil leaks-
Also don't forget to seal the threads of the bolts going into the gearbox as oil can weep along the bolts into the bellhousing
If you're dead set on fitting a gasket, make it as thin as possible because the bellhousing holds the front bearing in place and if the gasket hammers out then the bearing will start moving back and forth (not good)
This raises another point--It will pay you to offer the bellhousing up to the box and make sure it fits up without a gap----There's always the chance that your front bearing has an incorrect thickness circlip and someone has fitted a gasket to make up the difference in depth
If the housing fits up properly/flush, It's best to just seal it up without a gasket with something like permatex ultra grey
If you're still wanting a gasket------

https://abingdonspares.com/products/mg-t-gearbox-to-bell-housing-gasket
William Revit

I'm with Willy. I never use a gasket between gearbox and bell-housing. Just sealant. Willy explains the only reason one would be fitted.
Regarding oil pump gaskets. Yes a thin gasket goes between pump and block but I think Ray was referring to the gasket sometimes wrongly supplied for the oil pump cover. That is between the pump body and the end plate (cover). There should not be a gasket there as it results in too much end float in the gears and hence lowers oil pressure.
Cheers,
Bob Schapel
Bob Schapel

Yes Bob, that is what I meant.
I have fitted a thin paper gasket with sealant on many boxes in the last 50 years.
So far the sky has not fallen in ;-}
Ray
Ray Lee

This thread was discussed between 14/01/2023 and 16/01/2023

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