MG
The Classic Marque

Hi Stuart,

We'd love to come in our YT but have committed to be in NT at that time, straight after the MG National Meeting in Adelaide. Busy time of year. Hopefully next time...

Regards,
Robert

Hi all,

Thanks for the comments. My tribulations started when I had to retire my Win10 machines because Microsoft no longer support that system and I was forced onto Win11. I had to buy a new desktop and laptop. None of the new machines are designed for optical drives and old drives won't work directly under Win11.

My current solution adapting a SATA dock via USB3 works, but i...

Colin, I don't think that what you want is unachievable. The drag you describe is not right. Yes, when moving off after stopping I'm in the habit of bringing the lever back until the 2nd gear synchros touch, then it goes into 1st without a crunch. It's because the gearbox oil is still circulating and driving the gears round. That's all that's necessary, no need to go fully into 2nd.

I wel...

I, too, have always used the 'slip it into 2nd before 1st' technique, but that masks the underlying issue.

When the clutch is fully depressed, the input shaft should stop spinning (eventually) but it doesn't. I can only assume that the clutch is not clearing completely. It is a Borg and Beck unit which I believe to be kosher and, as far as I can tell.

I posted this query because...

So my point was, is this what Colin is experiencing? Is it perhaps a gearbox rather than Clutch issue?

Like Guy I’ve always gone into 2nd before engaging 1st - I assumed everyone did it to ensure it pops in easily with no grating.
I think Dave has the reason - layshaft drag.

It’s possible that it’s to stop the laygear from turning, as that is in constant mesh with the first motion shaft, which could be affected by drag.

How much are the washers and the freight charge to the UK?

Bob Marshall

I've never queried why, just know that I was taught 60 years ago, to momentarily move the gearstick into 2nd before selecting either first or reverse. It makes gear selection easier and smoother. That was initially in an Austin 7, then Morris 8, followed by minis, then A35. But once the habit was learnt its in my muscle memory and I still do it now!

Second and third are constant mesh, first is a crash gear. The reverse idler engages with first gear and the laygear.

Also, when engaging first gear, it also engages with the reverse idler, which is always spinning when driving in first. I don’t know if there’s a particular reason for this. Maybe it helps with lubrication, as the idler sits lower down in the oil.