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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-GB link=blue vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>I believe that the whole top cover assembly will interchange on the gearbox case.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>>> Or it’s a subtle BMC blend.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US> 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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>>> The nylon bush that came out is the same as the new from AH Spares ie not MGB. And, no, he doesn’t want to take things apart again. But, I am getting a new carpet set so will have tunnel cover out. I may take it all apart and see what’s what.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>I think that the thing to cling to is that it worked for 25++ years even though it appears to be wrong somehow. And, of course, it’s still working with its roll pins and nylon bush.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>I’ll try and get some sense out of all of this. Maybe if/when I have the two sticks side by side.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Simon<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Earl Kagna<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Victoria BC<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>BJ8, BT7 tri-carb<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US> Healeys <<a href="mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net">healeys-bounces@autox.teamnet</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Harold Manifold via Healeys<br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 3, 2021 10:05 AM<br><b>To:</b> <a href="mailto:simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com">simon.lachlan@alexarevel.plus.com</a>; richard mayor <<a href="mailto:boyracer466@gmail.com">boyracer466@gmail.com</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> Healeys <<a href="mailto:healeys@autox.team.net">healeys@autox.team.net</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [Healeys] Center change gear sticks<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Simon,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>I have two Healey transmissions both in some degree of disassembly. I measured the brass bush on both:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Trans 1 – Side Shift from a BN4 - OD 0.685” x 0.49” H<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Trans 2 – BJ7 Centre Shift with Roll Pins – OD 0.675” x 0.48” H<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>The service parts list for both these transmissions lists AEC3520 as the BMC part number for the brass bush.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>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></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>What are the dimensions of the replacement nylon bush?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Harold<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US>From: </span></b><span lang=EN-US><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></span></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal>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></p><p class=MsoNormal>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></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yours confused of Bradninch. (aka Simon).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span lang=EN-US>From:</span></b><span lang=EN-US> Healeys <<a href="mailto:healeys-bounces@autox.team.net">healeys-bounces@autox.teamnet</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><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><div><div><p class=MsoNormal>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></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal>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></p></div><div><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks, Richard<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div id=DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table class=MsoNormalTable border=1 cellspacing=3 cellpadding=0 style='border:none;border-top:solid #D3D4DE 1.0pt'><tr><td width=55 style='width:41.25pt;border:none;padding:9.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt'><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient" target="_blank"><span style='text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=46 height=29 style='width:.4791in;height:.3055in' id="_x0000_i1025" src="https://ipmcdn.avast.com/images/icons/icon-envelope-tick-round-orange-animated-no-repeat-v1.gif"></span></a><o:p></o:p></p></td><td width=470 style='width:352.5pt;border:none;padding:9.0pt .75pt .75pt 75pt'><p class=MsoNormal style='line-height:13.5pt'><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#41424E'>Virus-free. <a href="https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=emailclient" target="_blank"><span style='color:#4453EA'>www.avast.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></p></td></tr></table><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></div></body></html>