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MGB Shortening a MGB shift lever
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ronzet
Jedi Knight
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I was messing around with the car today and really paying attention to the shift action:
I noted:
Tight linkage with no sloppiness
1st to 2nd needs a double clutch
Throw from 2nd to third is actually pretty solid with SOME lateral pressure,
Third to forth is clean and smooth
Downshifting from 4th to 3rd is not a big deal; once again smooth and direct single clutch.
3rd to 2nd requires a brisk double clutch to keep from grinding.....
2nd to 1st is unsynchro'd by design so usually not done while moving..
What is the result of all of this observation???
Although I had the tranny rebuilt by a shop with instructions to replace any worn synchros.... Everything here indicates that the 2nd gear synchro is worn and SHOULD have been replaced....
Well, gentlefolk, that is the long and the short of it /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
I noted:
Tight linkage with no sloppiness
1st to 2nd needs a double clutch
Throw from 2nd to third is actually pretty solid with SOME lateral pressure,
Third to forth is clean and smooth
Downshifting from 4th to 3rd is not a big deal; once again smooth and direct single clutch.
3rd to 2nd requires a brisk double clutch to keep from grinding.....
2nd to 1st is unsynchro'd by design so usually not done while moving..
What is the result of all of this observation???
Although I had the tranny rebuilt by a shop with instructions to replace any worn synchros.... Everything here indicates that the 2nd gear synchro is worn and SHOULD have been replaced....
Well, gentlefolk, that is the long and the short of it /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smile.gif
ronzet
Jedi Knight
Offline
Jack,
When I drain the tranny as Steve suggested and if I find no metal fragments then I will probably wait until later to pull the tranny. The car is complet except for miscellaneous odds and ends and a completed interior...
Actually, I am considering buying a 5 speed conversion kit from Moss when the funds permit... The engine runs great and I do plan on driving the heck out of it so a nice high gear might be worth the effort and expense...
Has anyone out there done the conversion and, if so, comments??
When I drain the tranny as Steve suggested and if I find no metal fragments then I will probably wait until later to pull the tranny. The car is complet except for miscellaneous odds and ends and a completed interior...
Actually, I am considering buying a 5 speed conversion kit from Moss when the funds permit... The engine runs great and I do plan on driving the heck out of it so a nice high gear might be worth the effort and expense...
Has anyone out there done the conversion and, if so, comments??
Steve_S
Yoda
Offline
A 5-speed conversion will make the car nicer on the highway, but it will take away a portion of the vintage motoring experience. Think about what is most important to you before making any decisions! Personally I plan to mate a D-Type overdrive module to the back of my MGA transmission. That way I retain the original feel of the car, but I can essentially change my rear end gearing once up to speed.
ronzet
Jedi Knight
Offline
Steve,
I HAVE been anal about keeping the A true to original and the 5 speed would be a compromise to the goal...
Let me know how the 'D' type O/D works. This is a non-stock option but, after driving the A around a bit, I have decided that I will compromise a <u>little</u> to make the car more freeway worthy...
There are members in the MG club that have cars with modern engines and tranny's... I have yet to find myself willing to go that far.
I HAVE been anal about keeping the A true to original and the 5 speed would be a compromise to the goal...
Let me know how the 'D' type O/D works. This is a non-stock option but, after driving the A around a bit, I have decided that I will compromise a <u>little</u> to make the car more freeway worthy...
There are members in the MG club that have cars with modern engines and tranny's... I have yet to find myself willing to go that far.
Steve_S
Yoda
Offline
The OD will fit and I've seen it done. There are a few modifications that need to be done other than the mating of the OD to the gearbox. One is that the transmission tunnel needs to be slightly widened to allow room for the OD. You also need a different length drive shaft. A switch needs to be mounted somewhere to activate the OD, and wires run to it. A transmission mount also needs to be fabricated.
None of these modifications change the feel, sound or look of the car in any way, except that RPMs are lowered on the highway when the OD is activated. If you can live with the sight of the OD module under the car then there's no reason not to go this route.
Even though the 5-speed changes the feel and sound of the car, it does have advantages. It's lighter, less noisy and easier to install. The price tag is a bit higher overall though.
None of these modifications change the feel, sound or look of the car in any way, except that RPMs are lowered on the highway when the OD is activated. If you can live with the sight of the OD module under the car then there's no reason not to go this route.
Even though the 5-speed changes the feel and sound of the car, it does have advantages. It's lighter, less noisy and easier to install. The price tag is a bit higher overall though.