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Need new gearbox....

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Baz

Baz

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The 'clunking' from the tunnel turned out not to be U-joints, but a couple of springs, 1 worn, 1 gone and the prop shaft banged on the bottom of the tunnel under torque.
No big deal.
Big deal, my gearbox is shot.
1st is really whiney and it pops out of third repeatedly more often now. Mechanic said the gearbos had to be replaced or seriously repaired.
What are my options on this? A repair is my cheapest option at 1.5k, new box plus labour ??$??.
Any suggestions on the most cost effective route?
 
thats VERY high! first is always noisy as there are no sychro rings....
you could rebuild ur tranny or even switch to a 5 speed for less than a thousand, id say......
i rebuilt my gearbox for about$400, but i used some new/used parts..3rd and 4th rarely wear out..someone here probably has a replacement or parts for u...give it a day...zzimmmy
 
I'll be honest Zimmy, I don't think I have the talent or experience to do it myself. I've looked into the 5 speed, and Rivergate want $600 plus for their conversion kit.
When I saw your video you posted last week, I was relieved to hear your 1st sounding similar to mine, but it is extremely whiney. The popping in third is more of a nuisance than owt else.
Less than 1k for a five speed?
 
mine pops out of third ocassionally too....the rebuild wasnt as scary as it seems....pulling the motor isnt all that fun , but can be done with a $200 hoist....theres only a handful of bolts holding the motor etc.....
theres a first time for everything, and mine just happened to work when i got done ; )...zimmmy
 
Let's get Billm in here to comment, but you can get a 5 speed for MUCH less than 1k. It just takes some time to actually find the 5 speed. Don't go buying one on ebay for 500 bucks, they can be had for 1/10th that price.

Ben
 
Why not write to Tony Barnhill and see what he wants for a good used stock four-speed Midget trans (AKA Spridget "ribcage" trans).
I bet that will be your best bet.
By the way, 35 years ago my Sprite popped out of gear my entire junior and senior year of college. I just lived with it until I graduated and finally started getting paychecks!
As was stated above, a noisy first gear in a ribcage trans is no big deal.
 
Baz, just get you a bungee cord that you can hook around the shifter when you put er in third. You can wrap the bungee in duct tape to give it a cool brused metal look.

Ps. I had always believed that transmission rebuilding was a dark art only understood by high ranking guildsmen... until I rebuilt my tran. It is totally doable. And If you do it yourself, I can personally guarantee that you will feel like the king of the world when you are done.
 
haha, morris, i dont feel much like a king, but i do feel a bit smarter, and did conquer the fear of rebuilding a gearbox....hey, it slips outta 3rd every once in a while...when i started it didnt move at all...i even changed a ring gear!,...thats too much ; ) good luck Baz..zimmmmy
 
Nial, what was the paycheck cure for the popping third?
Currently, the visible allotment of duct tape is used to keep the 8 track cassette in place if I go over a bump as listening to Hugo Montenegro is far more important.
Maybe, just maybe, my mechanic isn't aware of the absence of synchro rings in first.....
He seems to think that the springless bouncing drive shaft may have contributed, I'll see how it feels this weekend.
I had winter pegged as a time to do a transmission overhaul anyway, the potential cost caused my wife to chime in and agree that winter is best. A stock 4 speed will do just fine if needed.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Nial, what was the paycheck cure for the popping third?

[/ QUOTE ]
Oh I think I probably just bought a used trans from Stucker's (in Staten Island) for around $25.
But back then that was a day's pay for a first year school teacher.
A couple of years later I bought a decent, running Bugeye for $60. Things have changed!

[ QUOTE ]

Currently, the visible allotment of duct tape is used to keep the 8 track cassette in place if I go over a bump as listening to Hugo Montenegro is far more important.

[/ QUOTE ]

8-Tracks! You the MAN!

[ QUOTE ]
A stock 4 speed will do just fine if needed.

[/ QUOTE ]

The standard "ribcage" is really a nice trans, well-suited for the car.
Remember that newer 1500cc cars (like mine) have a different trans that will not fit.
 
Jack, that's definately closer (added to favourites,) how about a finders fee instead? If my mechanic can put it in for $300 (I'm not doing it!) we have a deal.
I'll keep looking, I'm holding out for $250 for some reason.
Someone must have had a B210 done and have one of these in garage?
Now that I think about it, why was the B210 done!?
 
Try this, same site.

Parts to rebuild a rib case box.

MG Midget 1100/1275 transmission rebuild kit. This is a complete kit to rebuild "rib case" midget transmission. New rear oil seal, gaskets, layshaft and all bearings (layshaft, spigot, imput and main case) and 3 synchros. Cost is $140. Shipping is $10.00in the US.

Now what will your guy rebuild for? Hay get some other guys prices as well, this is not rocket science. Must be lots of places in St. Louis. Try this guy.

Agg, can't fine the link, he is in St. Louis, names John and did Jaybirds B. Will continue to look.
 
he probably could use some gears too , jack...theyre $100 each, approximately....hopefully only 1 or 2 are worn...all depends on how picky u are, and what u find inside...zimmy
 
If you can stand only 4 speeds then the Datsun conversion can really be a bargin. The adapter kits work for both 4 and 5 speed transmissions and 4 speeds are really cheap and still way better (read: 4-speed synchros) than a stock unit.
Bill
 
That's it, that's the place. Give em a call.
 
How do you find these places?!!? Just an hour from STL.
The rebuild kit at 140, 2 cogs at 100 each is a tremendous amount cheaper and might be a way to go.
Here in Springfield, only a few shops will touch 'classic' cars, they have some liability paranoia going on or something.
Sent MG doc an email, we'll see there.
Thanks Jack for your looking today. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
shops wont touch em cause theyre afraid theyll break something they cant replace while muscleing stuff loose.....we know better here and can always find whats needed, ; ) ..zzimmmy
 
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