BJ8 Mainshaft Needle Rollers, 32 or 33?

[AUSMHLY]

The Workshop Manual for the BN4 says for 2nd gear 33 rollers, 3rd gear 32 rollers. (see attached from the Green Workshop Manual)
I couldn't find in the workshop manual how many needle rollers are used for the 2nd and 3rd gears for the BJ8.
Moss catalog, BJ8, 2nd gear 33, 3rd gear 32.

I've dismantled mine and found 2nd gear has 33 rollers and 3rd has 32 rollers.
I noticed 3rd gear had a gap in the 32 rollers, so I added one more, total 33 now. Put the locking plate on and the gear spins freely.
Why doesn't 3rd gear have 33 needle rollers?
If it ain't broke, don't fix it, or did something change down the line and 3rd should have 33 needle rollers?

 

[AUSMHLY]

 

[John Turney]

Do you have a Section FFF in your manual? That covers BJ8 transmissions.

 

[robolab]

also restored the gearbox on my BJ8 and had the same problem. In my gearbox, 33 needles were used in both 2nd and 3rd gear. I also think that's correct, since the bearing diameters are the same size. These late design changes are probably not recorded in the workshop manuals.

Gerd

 

[AUSMHLY]

Do you have a Section FFF in your manual? That covers BJ8 transmissions.

Hey John, yes, but it doesn't reference needle roller bearings for the 2nd and 3rd gear. The only reference I could find was in Section F.

There are times when reading one section, it's very descriptive and may cover one model or many models. Other sections within that alphabet, skim over what you're looking for. It can be challenging finding what you want in this workshop manual.

As Gerd pointed out, I don't think the workshop manual was updated when the cars made some of it's transitions. Example, it doesn't reference that the BJ8 uses 4 caged bearing for the Laygear and 1 for 1st motion shaft. It says they use needle bearing (like the earlier models).

I was wondering if that wasn't updated, then possibly 3rd gear should get 33 needle bearings?
What does Moss say? 3rd gear gets 32. Yet 3rd gear accepts 33?

What say it other Healey owners who replaced 3rd gear. That's why I posted the question here.

A very knowledgeable Healey guy once told me, The Workshop Manual is your friend.
I now know section F, (FF), FFF very well.

 

[AUSMHLY]

also restored the gearbox on my BJ8 and had the same problem. In my gearbox, 33 needles were used in both 2nd and 3rd gear. I also think that's correct, since the bearing diameters are the same size. These late design changes are probably not recorded in the workshop manuals.

Gerd

Thanks Gerd.

 

[RobXK120]

Yes, 33 in both bearings, as dismantled in both my gearboxes. I’ve updated both my manuals and my mechanical parts list! Don’t believe everything you read, or I say.
Rob.