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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Hi-Gear's improved 5-spd conversion

Been off the site for a while but keeping busy. I rebuilt my '52TD 4-spd and it seemed to work fine (thanks for all your help) but not really great for highway traffic. Based on opinions from this and other sites, I ordered one of the revised 5-spd kits from Hi-Gear back in Feb or March. They were still prototyping the new version that replaces the gearbox tail support so the engine doesn't have to be moved forward. It finally arrived in late June or July and I just finished the installation last week. The parts and instructions were excellent and the only problems occurred when I didn't read the instructions carefully! The gearbox is a bit heavier than the original so maneuvering the frontshaft into the into the pilot bearing in the flywheel was tricky. The shaft size is different from stock TD so the stock clutch alignment tool won't work. I made one but Moss sells them for the 5-spd. Really, the only Mickey Mouse item was the "self-tapping" screws to attach the new rubber tunnel cover to the tunnel. No way they would work. I had to use different screws and pre-drill the holes. Overall, 5 stars.
B Roseberry

Didn't happen without pictures :-)
MG LaVerne

B Roseberry,
I also have ordered this kit and am awaiting delivery. Do you have the part number for the clutch aligning tool from Moss?
Hi-Gear sent me the instructions in advance and it looks to be straight forward-any other comments on fitting it? Had you a problem removing the original clutch shaft from the TD gearbox bellhousing. I have a new shaft but it looks like I will have to drill it to accept the taper pin.I recall this was a big problem the last time I replaced a 4 Speed.
Regards
Declan

Regards
Declan
D Burns

I don't have the clutch tool part number but it is listed on the Moss website under their 5-spd conversion kit (made by Hi-Gear). I reused my old clutch shaft and drilled, hammered, cussed the old pin out. Hi-Gear's kit includes a roll pin to replace it. The only other caution is measurement on cutting out the gearbox tail support. Hi-Gear's diagram shows the cuts flush w/ the face of the existing bracket but the indicated measurement is actually a bit more. If the cut is too narrow, you can't adjust the new bracket left or right to center the rear of the gearbox. Mine is a little left of center because I couldn't move the new bracket.
I am trying to post some pictures but sometimes the magic doesn't work. Here goes.
Bill
B Roseberry

Trying pictures again.
B Roseberry

OK, trying smaller file size.

B Roseberry

Gearbox

B Roseberry

Rear support installed.

B Roseberry

So the chassis has to be cut? PJ
Paul S Jennings

Gearbox installed.

B Roseberry

Rubber boot on existing console.

B Roseberry

Finished w/ carpeting. That's all I've got for now. I still have to deal w/ the speedo recalibration.
Bill

B Roseberry

Paul,
Yes, the gearbox tail support has to be cut out w/ this version. A Sawzall w/ a metal cutting blade works fine. That allows the engine position to be unchanged. Hi-Gear's earlier kit used the existing rear bracket but included parts to move the engine some fraction of an inch forward. According to Hi-Gear, the new bracket will also work with the stock 4-spd gearbox if you want to revert.
B Roseberry

Here is a pic of my conversion using parts from Andy King. Unlike HiGear he doesn't sell a full kit and you will have to do some engineering but the parts I used only cost £350.

Jan T

J Targosz

With the new rear bracket how/where do you attach the inside floorboard and driveshaft tunnel at the bracket?

thanks,

Sherwood
S Parker

Jan,

What is the source of the bell-housing?

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A Clark

Bill,
Thanks a million for the pics.
What measurement would you recommend for the cut on the cross member.Hi-Gears instruction booklet recommends 8.35"(212mm).
Regards
Declan
D Burns

What is the price of the 5 speed High-Gear kit?
Cheers,
Barry Ryley
C B Ryley

Bill,
I intend to make a corrector gearbox for this conversion similar to the ones that I do for the 4.3 CWP conversion but Hi-Gear tells me there are many different versions of Sierra speedo drives so the individual ratios can only be determined with a Sat-Nav (GPS).
Regards
Declan
D Burns

Hi Gordon (and others)

I bought my bellhousing from Andy King and it is so good a friend has bought one for his TD. The price is about £300. I attach a photo. The contact details are mgsparesandrestorations.com

Jan T

J Targosz

Declan,
Hi-Gear's measurement is probably good. My problem was that I simply cut flush on both sides of the bracket as shown in the picture. That measurement turned out to be slightly less than what Hi-Gear listed (I think my was about 8.15"-8.2"). Not a big difference but maybe enough to limit my adjustment.
For now, I'm just going to compare my speedo w/ a GPS and make a clear sticky-back for the speedo w/ adjusted numbers. I may eventually have the gauge recalibrated.

Sherwood,
The new crossmember has mounting points for the original floor rails that seem to line up pretty well. You do have to make a few notches in the rails to clear the new gearbox and a few cuts to the wood floorboards. You reuse the stock gearbox cover but also do some cutting on it.

Barry,
It's priced in British pounds so it varies but mine was just over $3100 US plus $60 US at customs. That was delivered to my door in Colorado.
Bill
B Roseberry

Thanks Bill, for the price.
Cheers, Barry
C B Ryley

Thank you Bill for bringing this up and for showing the clear pictures. Remarkable that the website of Hi-Gear still does not mention this new set up.They still mention the move-the-engine-forward consequence. Huib
Huib Bruijstens

My TD kit arrived from Hi-Gear and I must say I am impressed with the quality supplied. Now to get round to fitting it.
Regards
Declan
D Burns

This thread was discussed between 18/09/2014 and 29/09/2014

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