Marina box

Post by **Matt** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 8:37 pm

Hi guys

prospectivly looking at buying an auto marina. Is it possible (and relatively easy) to take the auto box out and put a minor/spridget manual in instead? (possibly with custom propshaft....)

anyone know?

cheers

Post by **Cam** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:49 pm

Typical!

I had a Marina manual box and prop until recently when I binned the prop. Still have the box though if you want it. You might have to fiddle about with the clutch/flywheel, but I'm not 100% on that.

Post by **Onne** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:52 pm

Why not keep it automatic? Or is the box knackered?

I quite like automatic transmissions

Post by **Matt** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:54 pm

Its not an auto

Dan's a muppet for telling me so!

Post by **Cam** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:57 pm

** sigh ** I thought I'd got rid of that damn box then for a minute!

Post by **Packedup** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:49 pm

Cam wrote:** sigh ** I thought I'd got rid of that damn box then for a minute!

That'll be a Triumhp box, won't it? Or more to the point, it'll fit a Triumph Dolomite and possibly Spit, Herald, etc. Will need a different bellhousing and maybe input shaft as far as I know to fit the Triumph small 4 (and mybe Dolly 1850, I really don't know).

If so, then you might be able to get a few pennies for it on Ebay

Post by **Matt** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 10:53 pm

err no... marinas are A or B series....

Post by **Packedup** » Tue Oct 25, 2005 11:00 pm

Matt wrote:err no... marinas are A or B series....

Yep, I know that. But they also have Triumph back axles, gearboxes, PCD and quite possibly brakes! Hence wondering if a Marina box is quite easy to convert to Triumph and therefore find a home for

From: http://www.mgcars.org.uk/mgcc/sf/990303.htm

"The MGB and Marina engines were not initially produced to the same specifications, and there were some important differences. On introduction in April 1971, the Marina 1.8 had a 1798cc BMC 'B' series engine, but with a Triumph gearbox, (the same one the later M.G. Midget 1500 used.)"

And from this very site: http://www.morrisminoroc.co.uk/technica ... gines.html

"The former way does have one advantage in that it is possible to adapt parts from the Triumph Vitesse, Dolomite or Spitfire overdrive boxes to fit the Marina box. The difficulty is that it is necessary to fit the Marina input shaft and the entire set of cogs from the Marina to the Triumph box as the gearbox input shaft is too short. Unless you are well used to gearboxes this could prove to be a lot of grief. I personally would go for the Toyota conversion as detailed in the Gearbox Modifications section."

So it sounds a bit too tricky to be worth much to a Triumph owner unfortunately - Overdrive boxes fetch a fair few quid but standard ones can be hard to shift for much

Post by **Alec** » Wed Oct 26, 2005 6:12 am

Hello all,

as I understand it the Marina ratios don't suit the Triumph either which is why it's advisable to use the Marina gears when fitting a Triumph overdrive to a Minor. As I have a Marina gearbox in my wife's Traveller I plan, long term, to go that route to fit an overdrive. (Which I much prefer to a 5 speed gearbox) Incidentally, I don't find it a 'horrible' gearbox as so many people seem to say it is.

Alec