MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Spitfire J-type overdrive into Midget 1500.

For those interested in this and not a T9 conversion. --

Here's a link to putting a Triump Spitfire J-type overdrive into a MG midget 1500.

http://www.boicey.com/midget/midget_overdrive.html

And interestingly, here's a link from the above link, to Guy Weller's conversion story. http://ado13.com/techs/tech3/od1500.html --- You get around Guy? :)



Lawrence Slater

Yep, that was mine too. I originally wrote up an article and offered it to the MGOC for their magazine, but they weren't interested. At the time they were very MGB orientated and had virtually nothing on Spridgets.

A bit later I edited it down and posted it on internet instead as there was some interest (pre BBS I think). Trevor Boicey contacted was interested as he was planning on doing the same adaptation. He subsequently did a far better write up than me and included lots of informative photos
Guy W

Brilliant!

Thanks Lawrence and Guy - just what I was looking for.

Very helpful. Cheers!
RS Hughes

That was very snobbishly shortsighted of the MGOC it seems to me.
Lawrence Slater

The engine is coming out next winter so now I'm looking for a few bits.

Single rail TR G/B with J type O/D.

Bits to convert to chrome bumpers. Those black things have to go. I just found out what they weigh.

Might as well while the head's away for valve seats!

A perfect pretext to replace my rubbishy old welder as well.

Already have the gearlever with switch but have to rewire it.

RS Hughes

How about this RS? Make an offer?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TRIUMPH-SPITFIRE-1500-OVERDRIVE-GEARBOX-CONVERSION-PROPSHAFT-/181717530007?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a4f357597

Or this?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-overdrive-gearbox-/181733302191?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2a50261faf
Lawrence Slater

Seen both Lawrence. Thank you. The one in Zummerzet looks good doesn't it.
Saving up now :-)
RS Hughes

None of you read page 8 of last month's mascot then?

Guy please send it to me. I'm always desperately short of 1500 articles.
G Lazarus

So to recap the 2 ebay listings

The 1st link is for a bucket of rust that looks like a trans for 395 £ and the 2nd link if a nice polished non rusted looks to be rebuilt trans for 150 £

:-)

My understanding is the 1500triumph tranny is as reliable and needs rebuilt as often as the A series ribby 4 speed

So wouldnt the ford type 9 still be the better value of the two

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Not sure Prop. In terms of cost versus benefit it's really hard to call. It mostly depends how much you have to spend on your gearbox I guess.

The chassis mods required it seems are mostly the same in either case so there's not much difference in the investment in time, except the Triumph G/B is a straight bolt on job to the engine with no mods needed.

Bottom line for me is this. I just like overdrives - it's that simple. And given the choice I think I'd prefer the BL gearbox to the Ford foreigner, all else being equal. The T9 box is a fine device, there's no doubt of that. It comes down to personal preference as either would do the job.
RS Hughes

Prop,


The BL single rail box is a good strong unit, far more robust than any of the A-series boxes.


It was developed by Triumph for then new GT6 and to be capable of taking the torque from it's 6 cyl engine. It was modified to be the standard BL box for the Marina in both 1300 and 1800 form as well as the Dolomite range and also fitted to the TR7 until the LT77 5 speed was ready.



It's a tough old unit with the added advantage of synchro on 1st gear and of course it's availibity in overdrive form from the Spitfire/Dolomite range of cars.

Starting to get scare now thou.



Regards Steve
SR Smith 1

This thread was discussed between 04/05/2015 and 05/05/2015

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.