You be the judge [Transmission Photos]

[bighly]

Thanks in advance to all who responded to my transmission rebuild questions.
Well I dug into it yesterday and was suprised at what I found.

I took some photos and ask those in the know if what I found:

A> Correlates to difficult shifting into 3rd and 4th (I think it does).
B> Can this laygear be reused?
C> Can these 1st and reverse gears be reused?

Thanks in advance oh wise and learned ones.........

https://www.wavewired.net/~tracy/transmission/transmission.htm

Tracy (trying to get back on the road for Dream Machines - will miss Mt Hamilton tour)

 

[Dave Russell]

Tracy,
John has good advice.
D

 

[ThomP]

First, let me say you are one lucky devil to have all those pieces floating around in your box and that's as bad as it looks.

I concur that the synchros should be replaced regardless. The shift fork looks pretty bad from the photo (or is it just the photo?). I would seek a used replacement from someone like British Car Specialists or the Healey Haven. It shouldn't be $250 and it won't be as likely to disintigrate when you don't want it to. I would think that there would be a few of them laying around, because they don't fail as often as, say, the laygear. The missing balls and springs in the selector ring could make it hard to stay in gear and difficult to change gears.

I have some warnings about reusing the worn gears. First; they will be noisy. Many Big Healey gear boxes are noisy in 1st and reverse. Mine is, but you outta know that. Second, the one that's risky. Worn or chipped teeth are not really the enemy, it's what is stressed or hidden cracks that are the enemy. A "pro" would strongly encourage you to replace all those chipped pieces, because there may be internal stresses or fractures that could let loose and cost a bunch more money.

That said, I'm willing to bet, if I open my trannie up, 1st and reverse will look as bad if not worse. I just thought you should be aware that there is some "hidden" risk here.

Good luck & I hope you're back on the road soon

 

[John Morrison]

For what it's worth, I would say yes to all three of your questions. I've re-used gears that were a good bit worse than those, with no problem, likewise shifting forks. I'd touch up the rough spots with a dremel. My recommendation would be to replace both the synchros even though you might get away with 1. I would also check all detent springs and balls(both in the couplers and for the shifting rods) and replace any that are out of spec. Also pay attention to the depressions in the shifter rods. If they are dished out or too worn, it'll pop out out of gear. Good luck with your project!