MG B question

[Hubert]

Sorry, I know that my question is slightly off-topic, but I don't want to register anywhere else just for one question, and I know that there are MB G-owners among the members of this forum.

The thing is that I am playing with the thought of adding a second British classic car to my Morris Minor. As the Minor is a convertible, it should be a fixed head car, and an MG B GT is relatively high on my list. As it happens, a very good LHD example has been offered to me at a reasonalbe price and relatively close to my home town. This car is almost perfect, but it is lacking an overdrive. But as we are planning tu use this classic for holidays, the overdrive is most desireable.

So here is my question: Is it possible to add an overdrive to an existing four speed MG B gearbox or do I have to replace the whole box? How much would it cost me to exchange the whole gearbox? What about the availability of gearboxes in Britain?

Thank you very much for all your answers.

Cheers
Hubert

[Matt]

If you are going to buy one, I would imagine it would be a good idea to register with an MG forum (I used to use the MG Owners BBS)

You would need to find another gearbox, but no idea on prices

[chuffit]

If you are going to buy one, I would imagine it would be a good idea to register with an MG forum (I used to use the MG Owners BBS)

You would need to find another gearbox, but no idea on prices

as already said you would need another gearbox there are a few on ebay they are fairly robust and should be ok as long as you get one that shows no sighs of being taken apart. As the overdrive switch is on the gear lever on later boxes its a fairly easy job to wire it up to throw the overdrive in and out .

[bmcecosse]

I'm surprised it doesn't have an overdrive, I thought they all did - it may be possible to add on such a thing, although where you would find one NOT already attached to a box, I don't know. An MGB GT is very claustrophobic unless it comes with a Webasto roof..... which pretty much then makes it an ideal 'Tourer'. You would also need a suitable shorter prop shaft with the O/D gearbox. I happen to know where there is an O/D box....

[Boris64]

Hubert,

I fitted an o/d box to my '67 roadster more years ago than I care to remember.

The hole was already in the dashboard for the switch, you will need a new prop shaft (different length) and the cross member moves backwards on the floor pan to holes that are already in place. Different gear lever also.

Ie: the early shell is common for o/d and non-o/d cars. No idea about rubber bumper models.

I then drove to Barcelona and back, only having to by-pass the leaking oil cooler on the way down

The solution is definitely an o/d box.

I also fitted an aftermarket Laycock o/d on the back of a bentley box. That was a lot of work.

Good luck.

Pete

[bmcecosse]

Does the O/D actually make all that much difference to the fuel economy?

[lambrettalad]

Yes and it drops he revs,for a more relaxed cruise ,also its nice and easy to change up or down at the flick of a switch.Def 100% better

(sorry to encourage egg sucking )

[beero]

As an alternative there are a few owners in the MG owners club that have gone for a 5 speed conversion, probably easier to find a Ford 5 speed box. You would have to google to find who does conversion kits though (other search engines are available)

[Boris64]

It will be easiest to convert to o/d box, the shell/crossmember are designed for it and the box is available.

Helps a bit on fuel economy and best to dip the clutch when changing out of o/d.

I've still got the non-o/d box if anybody wants it.

Pete

[kennatt]

Does the O/D actually make all that much difference to the fuel economy?

standard 18 mph at 1000 revs OD 22mph and prop is standard compressed 74cm OD 76.5cm so slightly longer

[irmscher]

The weight of the Mgb lets it down and even with overdrive isn't good on economy also check the castle section under the front wing as they rot for fun .Have you looked at a Tr7 a great little car and imho better than an Mgb and a good investment for the future.

[bmcecosse]

Second vote for the TR7 - and it comes with a proper 5 speed box as standard.

[kennatt]

Yes MGBs rot worse than minors,and panels are very expensive,you could just about rebuild a minor for the cost of two mgb front wings,and yes 20mpg as average,17.to 18 if out of tune,mind don't tr7 have similar rot problems,not that I've ever had one.

[lambrettalad]

I've had three and 20 mpg was the average,possible 25 on a long run to Broadstairs from Brum.
I have never dipped the clutch before engaging or disengaging overdrive,all my MGB'S ,triumph 2.5 PI ,Triumph 2.5S and TR6 had it ,ran fine no problems

[Hubert]

Thank you for all the answers, which I find interesting.

I fully agree to several of your comments, but as I do not live in Britain, the situation is a bit different for me.

First of all, I like the MG B Convertible very much, but as I said I already own a Morris Minor Convertible, so the second classic should have a fixed head. With the MGB Convertible I also have the problem that I am rather tall, and sitting upright in the driver's seat means the top of the windscreen is prominently in my view. That would require the seat to be lowered somehow. This problem does not exist in the GT, as the windscreen is a bit higher.

I have seen a number of interesting MGB GTs on carandclassic.co.uk, so if one would have the normal 4-speed-box, I would just check the next one on offer. But they are all RHD. While I don't have any problems with my RHD-Moggy, my wife is too scared to drive the car, but she would also love to drive a classic. This is why I am going for an LHD GT. Also, remembering the efforts and the trouble to bring my Moggy home, it makes the offer of an LHD- car from an owner living just 40 miles away even more interesting.

The car was first registered 1968 in Switzerland and came to Germany about 10 years ago and had some work done to the sills and floor pan. According to the present owner it has been waxoyled in 1968 and is virtually rust free now. Cars from Switzerland have a good reputation over here, as the Swiss usually treated their cars with greater care than anyone else. Also Switzerland isn't that big, so the mileages are normally quite low. This one has only about 60,000 miles on the clock.

I'll have a look at the car next week, and if it is as good as it looks on the photographs and is described by the owner I might fetch it.

[bmcecosse]

I wouldn't worry about lack of O/D - I doubt it makes any real difference. I agree about the MGB headroom problem...hence I have a TR7 DHC which has plenty of leg and head room - being designed for the USA market...