Midget Gearbox

Post by **RogerRust** » Sun Jul 09, 2006 7:44 pm

Sophie has a smooth case midget gearbox bolted onto her 948 engine.
Does anyone know the ratios and if it will have a reversing light switch.
Alternatively where do I find the midget owners message board?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 10:16 am

I doubt the ratios will be any different - BMC just used what was available when making Spridget. Almost certainly no reverse light! They were not 'invented' in those days for production cars.

Post by **ian-s** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 5:33 pm

Although I can't find any definitive information , I believe the smooth case Midget box is slightly different to the Minor - it has a slightly higher first gear. I fitted one some time ago but did not continue with it as the synchro was so weak.

Post by **RogerRust** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 7:54 pm

I've found the info now;

its a later 948 sprite/midget gearbox with baulk ring syncro. the ratios are 1st 3.2, 2nd 1.92, 3rd 1.14 and 4th 1:1
so its slightly higher in 1-3 and closer ratio.

see http://www.austin-healeys.com/spritespecs.htm#Gearbox

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 7:24 am

I don't think 'baulk ring' was ever fitted in the smooth case box.

Post by **ian-s** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 3:37 pm

I see you didn't fall into the same error as those thech pages you consulted . The gearbox ratios are as you said . The overall drive train ratios (gearbox + axle) are what the tech pages show. The early sprite box I fitted was definitely early Sprite and definitely non baulk ring, but Idon't know what year it was from. So long as the box is working alright it doesn't much matter.

Post by **d_harris** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 8:04 pm

I believe the later 948 box has a reversing light take-off, I will have to ask Matt