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Transmission Longevity

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Richard Dickinson

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Just looking at the transmissin part of bghly's web site, which by the way is very nice. This brought to mind the problem I had with mine when the car was relatively new. Had to have the lay shaft replaced along with some of the bearings. I later found out that the factory went to a different type of bearing in later models, needle to roller or visa versa can't remember which. I would like to know what other owners experience with these transmissions has been. I was planning to just replace some seals and gaskets in mine while I have it out. It seens like the last thing to go would be a transmission.
 
richard,are you having any trouble in either up or down shifting now? grinding either way? does it sometimes "pop" out of gear? have a whinning sound in any gear? depending on what its doing will determine what youll need to correct the problem. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif
 
Hi Richard, things are about the same with the tranny. Aftermarket Lay shafts seem to fail by fretting as well as the Needle/Caged Roller bearings wear.Synchros/Balk rings generally need replacing along with all gaskets and seals.The Lay gear's first gear can suffer a bit but that is probably poor handling over the years.---Keoke
 
[ QUOTE ]
Just looking at the transmissin part of bghly's web site, which by the way is very nice. This brought to mind the problem I had with mine when the car was relatively new. Had to have the lay shaft replaced along with some of the bearings. I later found out that the factory went to a different type of bearing in later models, needle to roller or visa versa can't remember which. I would like to know what other owners experience with these transmissions has been. I was planning to just replace some seals and gaskets in mine while I have it out. It seens like the last thing to go would be a transmission.

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Actually, there were a few different laygears over the years, but the layshaft bearings were always of the needle variety; the early ones were "loose" and the later ones were "caged"

About the best thing you can do to prolong the life of the xmsn is to start out in second gear; just avoid first altogether!

The weak laygear and "growler" (straight-cut) first gear was the motivation to fitting the MGC xmsn in my car. Remember, when the MGC engine was being designed, it was expected to produce the same power/torque as the Healey's, albeit with some losses to emission controls. Anyway, the layshaft is MUCH larger than the Healey's.
 
I am having the same problem with the transmission popping out of gear on occasion. I completed a gound up restoration on my 1958 bn-4 almost 3 years ago. At that time I replaced the original engine and transmission with a donor 3000. All has been well until about 6 months ago when I noticed the lever popping out of gear in first and second , when decelerating. Has anyone experienced this problem, and how did they solve it? Thanks
 
Yep, familiar problem Cliff and perhaps expensive to cure. My experience with this problem requires the Sliding Hub and first speed gear be replaced.along with the synchro's springs and locking balls.---Fwiw--Keoke
 
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I noticed the lever popping out of gear in first and second , when decelerating.

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A longshot (but an easy and cheap fix so I thought I'd mention it) is to check to make sure the rubber boot around the lever is not pushed down too far and getting in the way and popping the lever out.

Cheers,
John
 
While we are on tranies, I've had a SCREAM and difficulty shifting in 3rd when hot (ususally climbing)for 4 years now. I get it into another gear (hard to pull it out of third) and things get cool and quiet again. Shifts great and easily 99% of the time. I've changed to Redline M90(?) with only a little help. Any ideas out there?
 
Tranny over shifts, bad balk rings,3/4 gear shift forks worn,3/4 synchroniser assembly worn.Just some ideas to check out TH.---Keoke
 
Don't want to get into a long thread here on transmissions, but, I recently had an opportunity to drive a BJ8 that had a Toyota (Smitty) transmission installed. I loved it! Completely transformed the car into a great shifting car, went into each gear very smoothly and very decisively. If I have to spend the money on a transmission and overdrive rebuild I would go the conversion route.
Just my humble opinion. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Don't want to get into a long thread here on transmissions, but, I recently had an opportunity to drive a BJ8 that had a Toyota (Smitty) transmission installed. I loved it! Completely transformed the car into a great shifting car, went into each gear very smoothly and very decisively. If I have to spend the money on a transmission and overdrive rebuild I would go the conversion route.
Just my humble opinion. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Hear hear. I wish I could keep a few spares and rebuilds since I really loved the original trannys personality until it would fail. So I am a very very happy Smitty conversion fan now.

Tracy
 
I've driven a Healey with the Toyota transmission. I really missed the LayLock De Normanville OD. For me it's a big part of the experience of driving the car. Don't get me wrong, I can understand all the practical reasons for changing the gearbox but still ...

Cheers,
John
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif
But when you hit top, fifth ,gear [28% Equivalent overdrive] John- you don't need no overdrive.---Keoke-- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
When I last drove this car in 1976 the trans was fine. I just thought while I had it out I might replace seals and gasketst to prevent leakage. Maybe I should jus leave well enoug alone and fix it if it breaks. I think that the OD is one of the cool things about the healey. I did have to go into the OD once to replace the rings on the operating piston.
 
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I just thought while I had it out I might replace seals and gasketst to prevent leakage. Maybe I should jus leave well enoug alone and fix it if it breaks.

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/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/iagree.gif---Keoke
 
Re: Transmission Longevity re: MGC trans

Randy,
Is the MGC trans a straight bolt in conversion or are the modifications/fabrications that have to be done? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif That does sound like a viable alternative to the Smitty conversion and you do get an all syncro trans, better internals and keep the OD. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif Interesting.
Dave Duffey
 
[ QUOTE ]
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gif
But when you hit top, fifth ,gear [28% Equivalent overdrive] John- you don't need no overdrive.---Keoke-- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

But with a 5 speed, overdrive and 3.54 rearend you could take the Normanville to Bonneville to see what the top end would be! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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