[Healeys] Gearbox

[teamhealeytexas]

Hi Bill,

It's virtually impossible to remove the O/D by itself while the 
engine/transmission remain in the car. The main problem is that the gearbox 
mainshaft requires the O/D to be slid backwards from the transmission, and 
the transmission tunnel behind the seats doesn't allow for sufficient 
movement for the O/D to clear the transmission mainshaft. The washers that 
are being referred are drawing number 120 (sunwheel steel adjusting washer - 
various part numbers) and drawing number 121 part number 866-780 bronze 
thrust washer in the Moss catalog as part of the internals of the O/D. It 
never ceases to amaze me how these can ever so slightly move, preventing the 
mainshaft from sliding back into the O/D. The 2nd pain in the butt is in 
trying to get the rear splines of the annulus (drawing number 138 part 
number 031-382) lined up with the splines at the back of the O/D. Even using 
an old mainshaft to line up the splines still does not guarantee that the 
trans mainshaft will slide fully home. I find that even holding my tongue on 
the right side of my mouth , spinning around 3 times with my left pinkie 
extended, and providing burnt offerings to the overdrive Gods, that it takes 
me several tries to get everything mated up correctly.

I've found that it's hard enough to get everything lined up to mate the O/D 
to the transmission with both out of the car. Although it would seem to be 
simpler to remove the O/D by itself, I don't believe that it's possible 
without modifying body work. The two obvious ways to get the O/D separated 
from the transmission is to either remove the transmission/overdrive 
together, which can be tough as the combo  weighs a bloomin' ton, and has to 
be removed through the interior, and there is very little room in the 
interior for more than one person to muscle the unit in and out. Despite 
trying to be careful, I've mashed fingers, scratched paintwork, and expanded 
my 4-letter vocabulary tremendously doing this, and for my car with a roll 
cage it is a logistical nightmare.

For me, I find removing the engine/transmission/overdrive as a unit through 
the front, while having more steps to perform, seems to generate much less 
frustration, damaged fingers, etc. than removing only the trans and O/D. 
Also while the engine/trans is out, it gives me a chance to closely check 
out both, even if it's only to thoroughly clean, paint touch up, etc.

Hope this helps.

Y'all take care, eh?
Fred
Team Healey Texas