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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>With Harold’s brass bush measurements in hand, I went out to the garage and measured a nylon bush from a spare BJ8 gearbox top cover that has a 22B casting number and the threaded pin type ‘stick’ retainers. This bush is nominally .742 in diameter, so the lever / bush assemblies themselves will not interchange – the holes different sizes - the socket piece is a different part #.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I believe that the whole top cover assembly will interchange on the gearbox case.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The original parts list indicates that there were approx. 18 early BJ8 gearboxes that were either BJ7, or had BJ7 top covers installed, or possibly were true BJ8 gearboxes with roll pins. It’s possible that Simon’s gold seal replacement is one of these, as anything later would have the threaded pins in the turret. To me, it’s much more likely that the rebuilders have fitted a replacement nylon bush – probably from a period MGB transmission. Or possibly have fitted a BJ8 socket piece into the early top cover, along with a BJ8 lever and bush. Simon would have to start taking things apart again to find out – I’m sure that he doesn’t want to do that!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have a top shift BT7, and a BJ8 – and had several others. I’ve never noticed a huge big difference in the way they shift. One should remove the shift lever and clean out the hole and relubricate things every decade or so. I keep the nylon bush lubed the same as the brass one. (I should say kept as the BJ8 now has a Smitty 5-speed installed). I suspect that the factory changed to the nylon bush because it was likely way cheaper to manufacture.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Earl Kagna<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Victoria BC<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>BJ8, BT7 tri-carb<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Healeys <healeys-bounces@autox.team.net> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Harold Manifold via Healeys<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 3, 2021 10:05 AM<br><b>To:</b> simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com; richard mayor <boyracer466@gmail.com><br><b>Cc:</b> Healeys <healeys@autox.team.net><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Healeys] Center change gear sticks<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Simon,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I have two Healey transmissions both in some degree of disassembly. I measured the brass bush on both:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Trans 1 – Side Shift from a BN4 - OD 0.685” x 0.49” H<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Trans 2 – BJ7 Centre Shift with Roll Pins – OD 0.675” x 0.48” H<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The service parts list for both these transmissions lists AEC3520 as the BMC part number for the brass bush.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>As we all know these bushes fit into a machined socket that is part of the gear change mechanism. The bushes are in two haves and held together with a circlip. I will suggest that a one piece nylon bush may be superior to the original brass if it is the right size to both fit the ball at the end of the gear lever and slide freely in the socket. When I took apart both these transmissions there was a build up of debris, oil, corrosion, etc. in the socket that prevented the bush from moving freely. A nylon bush the right size that doesn’t require lubrication may give a better feel to the gear shift and not have the issues with debris build up in the socket.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>What are the dimensions of the replacement nylon bush?<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Regards,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Harold<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From: </b><a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net">Simon Lachlan via Healeys</a><br><b>Sent: </b>Friday, December 3, 2021 9:03 AM<br><b>To: </b><a href="mailto:boyracer466@gmail.com">richard mayor</a><br><b>Cc: </b><a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net">Healeys</a><br><b>Subject: </b>Re: [Healeys] Center change gear sticks<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB>Well, who knows? I have a MkII which has had the roll pins (BT7, BN7 & BJ7) and the nylon bush (BJ8) for the last 25++ years. And which worked fine.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB>When I asked AHSpares for a new bush, this one having been there for 25++ years, they sent me a nylon one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB>Yours confused of Bradninch. (aka Simon).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Healeys <<a href="mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net">healeys-bounces@autox.team.net</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>richard mayor via Healeys<br><b>Sent:</b> 03 December 2021 16:38<br><b>To:</b> healeys <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net">healeys@autox.team.net</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> [Healeys] Center change gear sticks<span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB>I have a top cover for what I thought was for a BJ8. I have no stick and no bushings - just the bare cover. I has the roll pins in place. Does this mean it is for a BJ7 and not a BJ8?<o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB>And if it came from a BJ7 can it still be used on a BJ8 transmission assuming one could find the proper stick and bushing? <o:p></o:p></span></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB> <o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB>Thanks, Richard<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div><div id="DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><br />
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