Healey Gearbox Rebuild

[Pete3000]

Hi all. In the process of a BT7 centershift rebuild. My mechanic has shown me the laygear and the first gear side is worn. He suggests to replace both the Laygear and the First gear as well, as I have excessive noise in first gear. I have been searching several sites for these parts and would like some advice on where to buy. Anyone had success with who is a good supplier? AH Spares shows to have them new $400, and reconditioned, $200. I have seen reconditioned laygears online elsewhere (Quantumechanics), but was hoping for some experiences from you all before shelling out this kind of $$. Thanks again.

 

[BUNDYRUM]

Hello Pete3000,

Yes it's a good idea to replace both gears at the same time purely because they are constantly in mesh.

A reconditioned laygear should give years of service there is no reason why not.

Reconditioning the laygear is just like reconditioning anything else, if the person doing the job is good at what he does then you shouldn't have to worry. There again it's always difficult to tell if the person knows if he is good.

I have not bought reconditioned gears lately but I'm sure someone here has and can advise you. Personally I wouldn't hesitate to use AH Spares.

Best regards,

bundyrum.

 

[Johnny]

Pete3000, I'm also rebuilding my BJ7 centershift transmission. The reconditioned laygear from AHspares looks to be good, that's what I'm buying. Be prepared though as they require a clean exchange part. The laygear cost me $48 to ship to the UK, and THEY ARE SLOW in responding. I purchased a used transmission from a local club member and got a good 1st gear, with sliding hub, plus reverse gear and any miscellaneous parts I might need. A new 1st gear with sliding hub will cost you $700 from most US suppliers. I thought it was too expensive for a gear you'll hardly use so I went the used route.
Bet my 1st gear and reverse are worse than yours???

 

[Pete3000]

Wow Johnny, that's pretty chewed. AH spares shows to have 1st gears on their website for around $350 with sliding hub. They also have just the first gear outer only. Is there a reason to buy the assembly and whats the advantage over just the first gear outer only?

 

[Randy Forbes]

I would be hesitant to order the outer gear only, for fear of it being even the slightest bit off from your existing inner gear. If it doesn't have an EXACT match, you're going to have trouble shifting between 1st & 2nd gears.

I'd recommend getting the whole assembly for a match.

 

[Johnny]

Wow Johnny, that's pretty chewed. AH spares shows to have 1st gears on their website for around $350 with sliding hub. They also have just the first gear outer only. Is there a reason to buy the assembly and whats the advantage over just the first gear outer only?

I know AH spares shows the outer gear only but, it's no longer available ( I checked). Be careful, I think that gear for $350 may only be for a BJ8, double check before ordering. Moss sells (same for British Car Specialist) a complete 1st gear plus sliding hub for $700 which is about the going rate for a new gear. BCS did offer to send me a used outer 1st gear only, but as Randy points out, it may not work right. The high cost for a gear you'll hardly use does seem pretty high, that's why I bought a good used transmission and am in the process of transferring parts over. I'm buying a reconditioned laygear plus synchro's from AH spares.

With the high cost of rebuilding a transmission I now know why a lot of people are upgrading to a Toyota conversion kit.

 

[tahoe healey]

Try Bill Boulton. He keeps a lot of hard to find parts as well as rebuilds trans. He is the tri-carb registry guy. He rebuilt my gear box a number of years ago. He got me a first motion shaft and gear, new in the box,at an obscenely cheap price from a friend of his.

 

[Johnny]

Wow Johnny, that's pretty chewed. AH spares shows to have 1st gears on their website for around $350 with sliding hub. They also have just the first gear outer only. Is there a reason to buy the assembly and whats the advantage over just the first gear outer only?

I know AH spares shows the outer gear only but, it's no longer available ( I checked). Be careful, I think that gear for $350 may only be for a BJ8, double check before ordering. Moss sells (same for British Car Specialist) a complete 1st gear plus sliding hub for $700 which is about the going rate for a new gear. BCS did offer to send me a used outer 1st gear only, but as Randy points out, it may not work right. The high cost for a gear you'll hardly use does seem pretty high, that's why I bought a good used transmission and am in the process of transferring parts over. I'm buying a reconditioned laygear plus synchro's from AH spares.

With the high cost of rebuilding a transmission I now know why a lot of people are upgrading to a Toyota conversion kit.

Well, thought it would be time for an update on this thread. I ended up ordering a re-conditioned laygear from AHS and it looks SUPER. However, either in an error on my part, or a problem with their website I received the re-con laygear and baulk rings intended for a BJ8 instead of the BJ7 parts I require. So, what I'd like to offer to all expecting to rebuild a BJ8 transmission in the future is the new laygear for the BJ8,plus baulk rings. I will sell them to anyone at what I paid, and, help pay the shipping. I'm offering this to save the expensive shipping to the UK plus the restocking fee AHS charges.
Please contact me offline at " jlore26@sbcglobal.net "

 

[Pete3000]

Well its been a while but the gearbox is now in and the original problem is gone. I ordered a reconditioned laygear from AH spares and also a new 1st gear assy from them. My first gear was ok but wanted to be sure. First gear noise is gone.