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MG MGA - How well do you know MOWOG B-Series Gearboxes?

MOWOG B-Series gearboxes were fitted in a wide variety of applications. Here's the challenge: Do you know in what 1500-Series vehicle the MOWOG B-Series gearbox that is depicted in the attached photo (mainbox only)was used? (Be advised: I don't know the answer.)

I found the gearbox in question in an MGA 1600 MkII attached to a 1500 engine. The MGA was a US model which has spent time in NJ and TN. The engine and this gearbox were fitted in TN when the original engine and gearbox were blown. The rear extension on this gearbox was of the 1500 sliding rear flange variety and seemingly identical to that used on the MGA 1500.

This gearbox clearly is not an original for the MGA. The gearbox in question is nearly identical to an MGA 1500, but it doesn't have a dip stick on the right side of the mainbox and has a filler plug on the cover on the left side. It also has a cut out at the top of the bell housing, which exposes the fly wheel. It has been suggested to me on this forum in 2003 that this factory cutout was for the purpose of eliminating an interference with the intended vehicle. The MOWOG number on the front of the mainbox is 1H3264 and the number on the mainbox side cover is 1H3309.

Among the educated guesses some have made are: Austin or Morris J2/J4 van, Sherpa Van, and Riley. I have not been able to find a document, such as a shop manual illustration, to test these hypotheses.

If you're a MOWOG aficionado, enjoy puzzles, or can divine its origin, please let us know. Extra credit if you can supply proof of the identification!

Steve

PS. If you think the view of the right side of the mainbox will help, I'll post that too.



Steve K

It's not for a Z Magnette. Past that, I have no idea.

The tailpiece can be swapped between gearbox incarnations if you use the proper internals.
Mark J Michalak

How about a Wolesey? Just a Wild A** guess.

This is great fun!
James Johanski

I've done some internet checking. It is not from a Magnette ZA, ZB, MkIII or IV. Not from a Metropolitan. Not from a Morris J van. Not from a Morris Minor. Not from a Datsun Roadster (licensed BMC)

I'm at a loss for other common B-Series engine/trans combos that were available in the USA for replacement. Perhaps it was from a BMC OEM build provided to TVR or Marcos or ?????
C Schaefer

Mark, James, and C,

Thanks for jumping in! Yes, fun indeed.

I checked the mainbox again today, and here's another clue: the serial number is RA4404 or R4404A, depending up whether one reads top to bottom and left to right, or left to right and top to bottom. Does this suggest Riley? Did they make a model "A"?

Also, atttached is a view of the mainbox from the right side. Here the cutout is more clearly visible. Also the fact that it doesn't have a dip stick. Note too it has screw plugs blocking the bores that would have been used in a steering column gear shift indicating that it's an early box and likely used with a floor mounted gearshift, as in the sports cars.

Oh, and as I recall the original engine valve cover color of the car this gearbox was found mated to might have been a light/muted pastel yellow (imagine a yellow from the same pallette as the MG maroon and the Austin green). (Not that the B-series engines and gearboxes weren't freely matched as convenient in circa 1967.) Did any of the BMC marques use this color on their engines, or might this have a primer?

Steve


Steve K

Riley 1.5!

CP
Colin Parkinson

Colin seems to have it right! Riley 1.5 Saloon. James was close. Check out the drawing here: http://www.motorbase.com/profiles/picture/index.ehtml?i=-667492908;s=riley;p=1
Unfortunately no photos of an engine in its original colors there. And see the Wikipedia article here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolseley_1500

Not surprising, the control tower is different, but demonstrably easily exchanged with an MGA's. Attached is a photo of the one (RA4404) I rebuilt with the MGA control tower in place.

Anyone know anyone who has a Riley 1.5 or Wolseley 1500?

Steve





Steve K

Here's a worn one on Ebay (270308489225): http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270308489225&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.co.uk%3A80%2F270308489225%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm38%26_nkw%3D270308489225%26_naf%3D1%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

Note, the details of the rear support on the rear extension appears to be different, which is not surprising.
Steve K

If you used the gearbox on a MGA it would be pain topping up the oil.


Mick
M F Anderson

Just had a look at some old road tests and at least the gear ratios seem to be the same in the Wolseley, Riley and MG.

Malcolm
Malcolm Asquith

Mick,

Not a problem ... The LHD MGA that this gearbox was pulled out of had a hole cut into the left side of the tunnel! The plug protruded through just a bit. Kept my foot nice and warm in the winter. ;-)

Malcolm, Good sleuthing! Could you imagine the fun that we, the factories, and mechanics would have had if there were a selection of ratios for each car model! :-0

Steve
Steve K

Yup, had a few Rileys. Guts are all the same. Shifter uses an early MGB style base and different (longer) lever, all in an early MGA 1500 style box except without the dipstick hole.

I actually bought one and found that it had a set of close ratio gears - perhaps a rally attempt?
Bill Spohn

This thread was discussed between 14/05/2009 and 19/05/2009

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