Here's my BTDT story...
I had the engine out for flywheel replacement (bad ring gear), and the
shop I took the flywheel to just happened to have a 4-synch OD tranny
sitting on the floor. For $650 I said, "why not?". But since I was
changing trannies (I have a '66), I also had to:
-swap to the newer flywheel
-install a new engine rear plate (thrown in gratis)
-cut a longer hole in the tunnel top
-buy a handy new tunnel top cover from British Automotive
-buy a new shifter knob (threads are different)
-do something to recalibrate my speedo (like a new pinion -- haven't yet)
-buy the newer type starter (needed a starter anyway since it is what
ruined the ring gear -- good riddance to that primitive gimcrack device)
As long as you stay with your correct type of tranny you will avoid these
expenses/hassles. But...
...the tranny looked perfect upon close inspection, so I had high hopes
for the project. But on installation, the OD didn't work. Removed it and
sent it to the shop, who tore it down and replaced a few components.
Reinstalled it and it still didn't work. Removed it again, but this time
used it as a core and bought a rebuilt unit from VB, for $600. Installed
it and it worked first time.
So, all told, the engine & tranny came out and went back in 3 times, and
I spent over $1200 on just the OD tranny (not counting the conversion
expenses). Conclusion: make DAMN sure the thing works before you go to
all that trouble! I admit that I am very hapy with the result, however.
And now I can pull/replace the engine in about 2 hours <g>.
P.S. I just read John's post. My experience makes his price for a fully
rebuilt unit seem very reasonable. I'm curious, though: what are the
ratios in the 5-speed (for comparison)?
D.Bavery had this to say:
>OK, since my engine is sitting on the floor right now - general clean up and
>clutch replacement - you got me thinking. I don't have OD and would really
>like it. What can I expect to spend on a ready to install OD tranny? And
>any ideas on a good source to buy one? Don't know if I'll do it but if I
>could round up the cash now would be the time.
>
>Denny
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Don Walton <dhw@pinehurst.net>
>To: mgs@autox.team.net <mgs@autox.team.net>
>Date: Wednesday, February 16, 2000 9:39 PM
>Subject: Re: OD Prep
>
>
>>Hi Larry, I just went through this for my 77 and I also helped a friend add
>>an OD to his 74, One question is did you know the condition of the tranny
>>before you bought it? I have had success with the two of them I have
>bought
>>but I knew who I was getting them from. I think as a rule MG transmissions
>>are pretty stout so odds are the mechanicals should work OK for you. I did
>>see one once which had various parts fall out of the filter housing when
>the
>>cover was removed, so you never can tell.
>>I would change the filter and gasket and the gasket and grommet on the
>>solonoid. Chances are that the solonoid wire is going to be brittle so be
>>careful with that, the wire on my 77 tranny broke off but I just removed
>>enough of the solonoid coil wire to solder a new piece on and it worked
>>fine. If you remove the solonoid make sure you have a manual so you can
>see
>>exactly how the thing goes back together.
>>It is also a very good time to change the oil seals both front and rear,
>>Remember to get all gaskets needed for the job. One thing I forgot to do
>is
>>to check that the speedo drive is good, I found out mine wasn't after the
>>fact. I have a new pinon but I havn't put it in yet but with my luck the
>>drive gear will be stripped.....
>>Check and replace as needed the backup and OD isolation switches, also make
>>sure that the shifter is actuating the switches, you may have to play
>around
>>with the fiber washers to get them right. This is not a big deal with the
>>BU switch but with the OD switch it is do it now or it becomes a big PITA
>>later because unless you have alien-like 15 inch fingers, you can't get to
>>it once the engine/tranny is installed . Just mount the shifter and use
>an
>>ohm meter to check the action of the switches.
>>In short, check everything that you can't get to when the engine/tranny are
>>in the car, also look closely at the motor/tranny mounts, my transmission
>>mounts had just about turned to chewing gum. I also used a lister tip on
>>drilling holes in the crossmember to aid in re-assembly. EXCELLENT IDEA!
>> Good Luck and enjoy the overdrive!
>>
>> Don Walton in NC 73 74 77 B's
>>
>>
>> 01:37 PM 02/16/2000 -0500, you wrote:
>>>Hey Listers, need more OD advice (and I suspect some others might too)--
>>>
>>>Finally got an overdrive for my '72 B, now I'd like to know what checks
>and
>>>preventive or restorative maintenance can be done with the thing out of
>the
>>>car, before the big swap exercise. Tips on checking the solenoid,
>replacing
>>>gaskets/seals, checking innards, etc., will be greatly appreciated. Gotta
>>>get rolling on this (plus engine freshening) so's I can make the big June
>>>Cleveland show. Cheers!
>>>
>>>Larry Ruggiero
>>>Warner Robins GA
>>>'72 MGB
>>>'65 Midget
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
--
Max Heim
'66 MGB GHN3L76149
If you're near Mountain View, CA,
it's the red one with the silver bootlid.
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