Gearbox upgrades

[Ragtop733]

Iam new to morris minors and I have a 1960 948cc tourer, it is fitted with a standard smooth case gearbox. It it possible to fit a ribbed case gearbox? What are the benefits and what other work is needed? Is the mounting the same, does the clutch need upgrading, is the prop shaft compatable? Any advice will be appreciated thanks John

[myoldjalopy]

Why bother, if the car, engine and gearbox are in good order? Just drive and enjoy. Others, of course, may have different views, but remember the ribbed gearbox was designed to go with the 1098cc engine and the smooth case one for the 948. I can't see any advantage in doing what you are proposing.

[Ragtop733]

Thanks for your feedback, I have a problem with my current gearbox with significant oil leak and thought if I need to remove it to repair is there a better option to consider but I tend to agree with you and think I will stick with the original. The car is totally original and to change the gearbox just does not seem to be the right way forward . Thanks again for your feedback john

[mike1864]

There are perhaps three other factors to consider:
What is the relative availability of the two types. (I don't know)
Price difference?
And might you later want to upgrade to a 1098 engine? (Seemingly not, in this case)
Myself I leapfrogged from a 803 power train to a 1098, and recall (from 40 years ago) no issues other than:
Floor plate replacement
Small mod to engine bay floor to accommodate the oil filter.
Losing the filler on the diff (now filled via original casing's top vent)
IIRC the prop shaft was unaffected.

[myoldjalopy]

Yes, replacing an 803cc with a 1098cc power train requires chopping the floor and fitting the tunnel for the remote change mechanism, unless you want to get involved in all sorts of engineering to retain the 803 type gearstick and keep the interior appearance original. You would also need a different carpet. But those things would not be an issue if going from a 948cc set-up to a 1098 one as they both have the same transmission tunnel.
Were it me, in the OP's scenario, I would be looking for a good S/H 948cc gearbox as the simplest solution, unless the leak mentioned is an easy fix. One question is whether the leak is engine oil or gearbox oil, if the former, I would expect it to be black, unless the oil has just been changed.

[jagnut66]

Hi,
Parts availability was what was always pointed out to me, with it being better for the 1098 gearbox than the earlier ones.
As for retaining originality, well unless you can find a good secondhand one -- remembering they are all "good" or "were working absolutely fine when it was taken out" according the persons selling them....
Then the other route to go for is a rebuild and I have seen an increasing number of smoothcase gearboxes 'rebuilt with 1098 internals' advertised on the likes of eBay recently. This will obviously cost more but stick with one of the more reputable gearbox builders and you should be okay. Plus rebuilt with 1098 parts means the spares 'availability' issue is overcome.
Swapping to a 1098 'ribcase' gearbox is not difficult, however you will need to change the backplate on the engine to accommodate it, again not a hard job but first you will have to source a 1098 engine backplate.
The options are out there, it just depends on what you are looking for, how much you worry about originality and what your budget is....
Best of luck with getting it sorted.
Best wishes,
Mike.