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MG MGA - Toeboard plate/bellhousing

I've just installed a 5 bearing 1800 motor and Sierra 5 speed gearbox in my Coupe that is only at chassis assembly stage. When installing the toe board plate, it hits the Hi-Gear supplied bell housing, and needs a couple of centimeters removed where the two top bell housing bolts are...the plate should then drop down to a "normal" position. Has anyone else experienced this problem?
Gary Lock

What I think has happen is that you are using the later MGB engine with the larger rear engine plate. The earlier 5- main motor has a smaller fly-wheel and rear plate. As you already have the Hi-Gear bell-housing, I guess changing the toe board's the only thing you can do.
David Werblow

Gary

I have the same set-up, albeit right hand drive. Plenty of clearance on mine. Seems like you have the 5-speed box sitting too high on its attachment brackets. Worth checking against the installation instructions.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Gary

Brain in neutral. Forgot you are in Australia and also right hand drive! Nevertheless, my comment is the same. The gearbox and engine when bolted together pivot about the engine mounts, so it is possible you may have put some of the packing spacers on the wrong side of the gearbox mounting bracket, tilting the whole assembly upwards from the rear too much and fouling the toe board.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I've been in touch with Steve Gyles, and sent some photos showing the problem...I've also sent pics to Peter Gamble, but havn't yet had a response. The bell housing as supplied is definitely too proud at the top end, which means both the toe board and the garbox tunnel foul on the bell housing.

Both the engine and 5-speed box are installed correctly, and the unit cannot be lowered anymore or it will rest on the chassis crossmember.
Gary Lock

Just spoken with Peter Gamble re the problem. Apparently my MGB motor is an 18V one, with a larger flywheel, and therefore requires a larger bell housing. Peter says he hasn't documented this anywhere, but the bell housing he supplies for the 18V in an MGA needs to have approx. 5/8" removed off the housing for the top two bolts...this will enable the toeboard and gearbox cover to fit.
So it's out with the cutting tools.
Gary Lock

Gary

Mine is an 18V. I got the 5-speed conversion bits and pieces through Bob West, albeit from Peter Gamble. In those days I am not sure if Peter was supplying direct to the public; anyway, it was early days and I had not then heard of him (2000). I was under the impression Bob supplied me with a 1800 flywheel etc. It all fitted well. I weighed the flywheel a couple of years back and it tied in with 1800 spec. I don't recall having to do any grinding of the casing.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Nice to know that ever once and awhile my guess is correct. Early 5-main engines have a 10.5" flywheel, later ones a 11.25" FW, the engine backing plate is sized to the FW.
David Werblow

This thread was discussed between 13/08/2012 and 16/08/2012

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