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MG MGA - Remove gearbox or not?

Hello
My 1958 1500 came from Australia. Now I need to put a new clutch kit. Problem: Is it necesssary remove the gearbox and engine? How? Is there something about this hard task in archives? I cant find it.
Thank for your help.
"Newcomer" Rui Fonseca
Rui Fonseca

Rui

Welcome.

There is always varied opinions on this BBS about the merits of taking the engine and gearbox out as one unit, or splitting and just lifting the engine. I for one just lift the engine and do the swap of clutch parts. Some of us are quite practised and can get the engine out within a couple of hours, sometimes less.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I would agree with Steve, just pull the engine and leave the gearbox in place. You will want a centering tool to make sure the clutch is lined up with the pilot bushing. I used the cheap plastic one from Moss and it worked fine.
Jeff Schultz

Rui, I agree with Steve and Jeff, definitely remove engine and leave gearbox in place. Much easier. There is a lot of good information in the archives if you search using the words "engine removal".
How did your MGA get to Portugal from Australia? Must be an interesting story there somewhere.
Garry
Garry Kemm

Thank you all for teaching a newcomer. Garry,my car was bought near Brisbane in 2001 when I was working in East Timor as diplomat. When I returned to Portugal I brought it and another MGB imported from California to Australia and then to East Timor. I am attach a photo when it was in Díli ( East Timor capital )opposite UN headquarters.
Rui


Rui Fonseca

Welcome Rui,

As all the other guys before me said, there is no need to remove the gerabox out of the car just to replace the clutch. Pulling the engine out is easy enough once you remove all the ancillaries first. You'll find seven bolts to undo which hold the box to the engine. Support the gearbox with a trolley jack from under the car, using a hoist on the engine pull out to separate from the gearbox. From then on lift the engine slowly while gently manouvering it out of its place. With the engine on the bench, the clutch is bolted to the flywheel and its quite straightforward to replace. When removing and replacing the engine take great care not to let the weight of the gearbox rest on the output shaft, it will bend very easyily. Putting the engine back in the car is a reversal of the removal procedure, you will need an alignment tool to align the clutch splines to the splines on the shaft.

Frank
F. Camilleri

That's a well travelled MGA, Rui. Thanks for sharing the story and for the photo. I would guess that when your MGA was in East Timor it was probably the only one. Hope the clutch replacement goes well.
Garry
Garry Kemm

This thread was discussed between 19/07/2011 and 20/07/2011

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