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MG MGA - Gearbox installation

I made my first mistake on the restoration. Ha ha haha.
I am getting ready to replace the gearbox and I have mistakenly fixed the remote lever housing before I put the unit back in. Is there ANY chance I can fit it without removing the remote lever housing again, and replacing the gaskets on that part?? The gearbox is apart from the motor...

Steve
Stephen Lofaro

Steve, its likely that the gasket will be ok if it's relatively new, I would think that it will not require replacement if you decide to remove the housing.

George
G Goeppner

I've had remotes off and on , on "B's", with no ill effects on the gaskets.....But if you should tear it, you will have to replace it....
It is so frustrating to be ready to assemble a car part, and find that you jumped the gun, and have to go back and undo what you have already done....
This is the history of my car builds, so I genuinely feel your pain.
Edward
Edward Wesson 52TD

Easy to make the gasket if you need them:
http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/gearbox/gt122.htm
Barney Gaylord

No it will not go back in the car with the remote and lever attached
dominic clancy

Not with the lever attached - but if it is just the remote assembly then yes it does go in and out - it is the way I do them all the time - only the lever needs fitting after installation of the box.
Chris at Octarine Services

If you remove the hand lever you will likely lose the Spring and ball anti=rattle parts from the mating lever on the remote shift rod.
Barney Gaylord

I made an attempt at this and I have the following information to report. The gear shift lever did clear the tunnel opening with minimal clearance (like millimeters), and the unit was moving nicely until the moment when the rear seal housing came against the frame for the gearbox mount. I made a close examination to see that the diameters were very closely approximate to the opening of the frame mount and I was able to 'prise' it through with the aid of a hydraulic bottle jack and it then just lifted up into place for the bolt fitting to the new gearbox mount. Voila!

(However, I sincerely doubt this method could work in reverse!) I did have a 'second' with me to keep an eye that there was no pressure to the lever during the push up...not something I would advise trying solo or ever again for that matter.

Crazy Steve

Stephen Lofaro

Cant junderstand why it wasnt easier just to remove the four bolts securing the remote extension and just slide it in without any prising and second person and all the nonsense.
dominic clancy

Hello Dominic,

Well I was simply trying to avoid all the removal and replacement of the gaskets to the housing, with all the concomittent issues of bits of sealant falling into the gearbox. There was also a matter of pride, having mistakenly jumped a step that would have made this more normalized. Taking this chance probably saved me at least 3 hours of shop time. Of course, you said this was not possible so I don't expect you to understand that I actually did it, or simply say, "Cheers that it worked out". Not your style...

Thanks to all for their comments and feedback.

Let it be known I believe there was an engineer who calculated this type of replacement might need to occur, or I couldn't have done it. It was like someone saying "If you make this mistake, we have you covered." I may be presumptuous here but I firmly believe the assembly line issues probably had some adjustments for just such a circumstance which may have occurred innumerable times, after I experienced the design and cowl opening to make my own recovery. Or just illusionary thinking...Cheers to Morris Garage.

Stephen
Stephen Lofaro

This thread was discussed between 18/06/2013 and 22/06/2013

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