North America's oldest, largest and best club for all MGBs, MGB-GTs and Midgets!!  Established in 1975.

  

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WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN MGB ASSOCIATION
for all year MGBs, MGB-GTs and Midgets
Established in 1975


5433 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60640 USA
Phone/Text: 773-769-7084

email:
info@mgclub.org

 

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North America's oldest, largest and best club for all MGBs, MGB-GTs and Midgets!!  Established in 1975.

  

  Subscribe Message Board

 Subscribe Blog

  Subscribe Photo Gallery

WELCOME TO THE AMERICAN MGB ASSOCIATION
for all year MGBs, MGB-GTs and Midgets
Established in 1975


5433 N. Ashland Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60640 USA
Phone/Text: 773-769-7084

email:
info@mgclub.org

 

  MG Midget               

Credit Card/PayPal Form  Secured Order Form  Membership Benefits  Members Only
 Home  Past Shows/Photos  Calendar of Events  Member Stories/Articles Tech Tips    Ads / Links  Join / Renew - APPLICATION  Membership Items  Email  Classifieds   Car Photos   News / Editor  Regalia / Club Store  Message Board  Club Blog  Ad Rates 


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TECH TIPS

TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING
this is an excerpt from the articles appearing in the OCTAGON

also see upkeep and performance hints on our message board at board.mgclub.org
and on our Facebook group at
www.facebook.com/groups/americanmgbassociation

Google

 

TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING

Q:     I have been having trouble with my stock original overdrive (OD) for some time. It will not stay engaged and occasionally when the solenoid is activated and I shift to reverse the car just shudders and goes nowhere.

In my research this isn’t good and the OD may be ruined. The transmission man at my local shop installed a new solenoid as the old one was hanging up. He found that apparently the internal spring that moves the fork back when the solenoid is switched off must be broken as the fork doesn’t retract. The transmission works fine with the OD disengaged.

My current plan is to leave the solenoid disconnected and drive it as a four speed for the time being. My questions are: how much of this is correct? Is my o.d. toast? Is there a different rear end ratio in o.d. cars vs, non OD? Suggestions for what I should do next? Thanks.

Jim Kraft
Morehead City, North Carolina

A:     Well, let's start that the OD shouldn't engage in reverse other than 3rd or 4th gear in forward. I'm sure that did some damage beyond the broken spring found by the mechanic. How much, hard to say without getting into the box.

Answering your questions, there's not a difference between the differential of the OD versus non-OD cars. There is also no difference in the length of the driveshaft. The OD and non-OD units are the same length, the tailshaft making up the difference on non-OD trans.

In terms of running the car with the OD disengaged, as long as it is not making audible, ominous noises, chances are it is fully disengaged and should operate fine as a 4-speed. Just as a note, my OD was added, my car being a 4-speed from the factory. It quit last year (an electrical issue, but I just don't have time to look into it) and I drive it as a 4-speed with no issues.

What you do next is up to your driving choices and your budget. The OD cannot come out without removing the engine and trans, so a fairly involved job. Then there's what you'll find when you open it up. Finding a decently qualified shop to work on it is another challenge. Fortunately, the OD unit is the same for MG, Jaguar, Austin-Healy and others from the era, so while still a small cross-section of transmission shops, it's expanded a bit by the added marques.

If you have time and are familiar with the OD unit or have a cooperative shop, take it out and open it up.

If it's too far gone, go for a rebuilt from Moss or Victoria British. Victoria British offers the type D OD you have as an outright sale for about $1,000 (part no. 2-1043-R), so the condition of yours doesn't matter.

From Moss, you'd have to upgrade to the later LH type from the 68-up cars. Cost is about $1050 for the OD unit, but that includes a $300 core charge for your old one (which has to be in rebuildable condition), so a net of about $750. You will probably need the later trans mount for this as well.

Check with your local shop on what they would charge to rebuild it. You may find the V-B or Moss prices comparable.

Also, depending on your budget, how you use the car or how original you want to keep it, the alternative to go to an American 5-speed is available as a kit. Moss offers it (part no. 440-075), as do others. The new trans is the same as used in a Mustang, so parts and service are easy and readily available. It also offers the added feature of being able to be removed without taking out the engine, as it is set, like an American car, with the trans bolting to the new bellhouse from the back. This makes for much easier clutch changes down the road as well. Cost is prohibitive at about $4,200 from Moss, but includes trans, bellhouse, shifter & linkage, driveshaft and trans crossmember & mount.

I hope that helps you. Let me know how you make out.

Safety Fast!
Art Isaacs


More tech items at www.mgclub.org/mgtech.htm, at www.facebook.com/groups/americanmgbassociation
and
www.facebook.com/americanmgbassociation and on our message board at http://board.mgclub.org.


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© 1997-2019 All Rights Reserved - American MGB Association.
 

Members Only
Services:
Members Login
On-Line Octagons
On-Line eOctagons
Local Chapters
Parts Exchange
Technical Staff
Technical Services

Renew
Member Services
Submit Classifed

Club Message Board
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Photo Gallery

member
recommended:
Repair Shops
Body Shops
Parts Suppliers

American MGB Association on Facebook

American MGB Association on Twitter

 

 

 


Credit Card/PayPal Form  Secured Order Form  Membership Benefits  Members Only
 Home  Past Shows/Photos  Calendar of Events  Member Stories/Articles Tech Tips    Ads / Links  Join / Renew - APPLICATION  Membership Items  Email  Classifieds   Car Photos   News / Editor  Regalia / Club Store  Message Board  Club Blog  Ad Rates 


 

AMGBA Privacy Policy | AMGBA Website Terms of Use

© 1997-2019 All Rights Reserved - American MGB Association.