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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 - Sierra Box

Hello all,

I will changed the gearbox from TD25681 to the Sierra box and the Conversion Kit from Hi-Gear Engineering.

Does anybody know the correct lenght from the shaft of the Sierra box? Is 14,5cm the correct lenght?

Best Regards
Georg
Georg Becker

Hi Georg,

No the length you require is 175 m/m from the front face of the gear box to the tip of the input shaft. Google Ford Type 9 input shaft and you find lots of info. The Ford box is 10 m/m too long to fit directly into the TD/TF and you either have to move the engine forwards by using a new front engine mounting bracket or cut a piece out of the tubular, chassis cross member just to the rear of the gear box. I believe HiGear sell kits for both these methods. From previous posts it appears HiGear kits are of very high quality and are complete down to the last spring washer. Andy King also sells kits and I am just off the phone to him. His are cheaper but you have to make / modify some of the parts. He does sell the individual parts and I am about to place an order for a bellhousing priced at £325

Jan T
J Targosz

Georg,

I forgot to mention be careful you don't buy a gear box from a diesel car. The ratios are all wrong. You need to take the lid off and count the teeth on the input shaft gear. The web pages I mentioned above give you full details. Also you don't want a box with an electronic speedo drive.

Jan T
J Targosz

Hi gear is top quality! I also bought a complete refurbished gearbox from them. A bit pricey . "Buy the best and cry only once"

regards,

Jan
Jan Emil Kristoffersen

I just received a replacement Sierra gearbox from Hi-Gear. I'd bought the original one in April of 2009 and it sat in the garage until last September when I finally got around to installing it. I had a lot of deceleration noise, especially in 2nd gear, so I called Peter and discussed it with him. He said if I couldn't find the cause he'd send me a replacement...this almost 5 years since buying the original one. To make a long story short a rebuild of the differential didn't change anything so Peter sent me a new Sierra.

You just can't beat customer service like that!
Gene Gillam

Wow!! That's impressive. Bud
Bud Krueger

Thanks for the answer. I bought a Sierra-Box for 300€. The next Step is to clean aud paint the box. Then i will contact Hi-Gear.


Regards Georg
Georg Becker

Helo. I put the kit and I bought box for 130 €. For now all is well in 100 km.
Gabriel Martínez

You folks living in Europe and the UK have access to breaking yards that have the Sierra models with the correct gearbox.

Very few Sierras were imported into North America and many were not manual gearboxes.

The best kit of all was produced I believe, by Steve Neal in Maine who used the Datsun 210 (NOT the 210 B) 5-speed gearbox which was direct fit without chassis mods.

Sadly this gearbox is extremely rare and can occasionally only be found in Mexico.

For Georg and Gabriel, you now need to get only the special bell-housing, and you'll both end up saving a lot of money. A new kit sells for about £2,200.

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gordon A Clark

I got my Ford Type 9, completely rebuilt and ready with everything necessary for installation, from John Esposito.

The engine had to be moved forward 3/8th of an inch. I used my old pressure plate which still had the original paint and showed no wear.

I can't believe the difference. No rattles, just wind. It's nice having that 5th gear overdrive. At 55mph the engine is running over 800 rpm's lower than with the original transmission.

Having just rebuilt the engine due to a crankshaft break, and adding the new transmission, it's as though I have a brand new car.

I also installed the front and rear crankshaft seal conversion kits. NO LEAKS.
R C Flowers

For Gordon Clark. The kit in Peter Edney (UK): 1500€. With Instructions manual, easy job for me.
Gabriel Martínez

Good day. eh:

Just wondering what becomes of all those discarded MOWOG gearboxes after the Ford installation has taken place.

Do they then become doorstops, boat anchors, flogged on eBay or held in reserve for a future twinge of nostalgia and re-vehicle introduction ?

From what I have read, a fair amount of butchery is involved to accommodate the new set up.

However; I reckon it is a necessary evil if one wants the extra speed factor enabling cruising the M1 etal of the U.K. or Autobahn roadways of Europe. And, without a doubt, to facilitate travelling the numerous N.A. super highways as well.

I guess lads, I am too old for that mode of travel and power. And, with all the nutters I encounter daily, using my Nissan, Versa, I am more than content to keep both the TC and TD the way they were.

To each his own though and I thoroughly respect that factor.

Respectfully submitted:
Jack Emdall, Halfmoon Bay, British Columbia, Canada

Jack Emdall

I like the idea of a 5th gear, but I LOVE LOVE LOVE, the old direct feel of an original T series box. All the noises, clicks and rattles are part and parcel to the experience for me. If only there was an elusive factory electronic overdive out there somewhere.

Alex
Alex Waugh

Hi Gordon,

UK scrapyards aren't "what like they used to be". They now are controlled by the Environmental Protection Agency and all fluids have to be drained, scrap cars have to be on a hard standing and there are dozens of other regulations. Add to that the price China is paying for scrap metal and you are now lucky to find anything over five years old in a scrappie. You would be very, very fortunate to find a scrap Sierra or Capri in a dismantling yard. Also Type 9 gearboxes are in demand by all sorts of car enthusiasts and you can no longer buy one for £10. Ebay prices are now £200+ If you are considering a change to a 5 speed it would be worth contacting Andy King at mgsparesandrestorations.com He sells all the necessary bits individually including new bellhousings.


Jan T
J Targosz

This thread was discussed between 02/04/2014 and 17/04/2014

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