Morris Minor Owners Club

Seeing as its "all out" at the moment. Is there any way i can make sure my gearbox is sound, before i put it back in and find it jumps out of 2nd etc?

YG

You can inspect the gears etc by taking the side plate off - watch for the two springs. Only sure way is to do a rebuild with new bearings, new syncros and new second gear!

You can take the side cover off and inspect the gears and synchros for damage or broken teeth. Speaking from experience though, you never really know what you have until you take it out on the road. I've had 3 transmissions in my car in the last 2 years and all of them have sucked. Datsun 210 5 speed is really the way to go if you have the means.

To be quite honest, the british 4 speed is the weak link of the whole car. But then again I live in California so you have to beat on it just to keep up with traffic

Datsun 210 5 speed is really the way to go if you have the means.

Not really available in the UK thats why the Ford Sierra box is more commonly used but its not a cheap option.

Has no-one come up with a kit to fit the Rover SD1 5 speed box ? This is a very strong box - also used in later 2 litre TR7s and retained without any problems when these are converted to V8 engine TR8!!

Has no-one come up with a kit to fit the Rover SD1 5 speed box ?

Not come across one I assume the ratios and dimensions are not suitable with the 1098cc and 1275cc engines or someone would have done it by now.

Ratios are quite well spread - and it's not a very big box.

Oh the SD1 box definatley does fit in the moggie, I have one in mine. I hate the sierra conversion as you have to bucher the floor up to get the thing to fit. Mind you the rover box is very tight, but no buchering required. Nice box but think i'll have to try a different oil as gearchange is a little stiff when the oil is hot.

bmcecosse wrote:Has no-one come up with a kit to fit the Rover SD1 5 speed box ? This is a very strong box - also used in later 2 litre TR7s and retained without any problems when these are converted to V8 engine TR8!!

Right - The Marina used the Triumph box (or the Triumphs used the Marina box...), so a Marina 1300 uses the same box as a Dolomite 1300/ 1500 and 1850. The TR7 2l mates up to an 1850 box (might need the 1850 engine plate though, not sure), and also fits to the LT77 (Rover 5 speed) as a factory option.

So, if a Marina 1275 can be fitted to a 1098 ribbed case box, then a Minor 1098 can be fitted to a Marina box. Meaning it can also go on a Triumph box, so in turn can go on the 5 speed Rover box.

That's my loose logic, I've no idea what Frankensteinien clutch and engine plate arrangement would be needed! ;)

Well there used to be a Marina box with dolomite internals fitted to enable an overdrive box to be created but I think it was a rather complex option (I think its mentioned in Owen Burtons book) and you need tqo gearboxes to create one and then there are other mods required so yes that has been done but not seen one for a long time.
Maybe Robbins can expand on how his is fitted and what clutch and mods were required and what engine is it behind, also is it lighter than the sierra box.