Morris Minor Owners Club

just reconditioned a standard late 1098cc engine, i came to fit it to the gearbox and it dosent fit. i can get them together with 1/2 inch between them and they wont go any further,

the gearbox is a ribbed version and the engine a standard 1098. i have taken the dust covers off the box to see if the clutch or flywheel is catching anywhere and it isnt, so all i can assume is that the geabox shaft is too long. also the holes on the geabopx and the backplate dont meet up (as in the backplate is a good couple mm bigger)

has anyone else come across this before and how did you solve it?

It is normally a case of the slines on the geabox shaft not being lined up with the clutch plate. Make sure that the engine and gearbox are in a straight line and rotate the engine or gearbox until the splines line up. If it is possible you can put the box in gear and turn the tail shaft to line the splines up. Have you got the engine or gearbox in the car or are you assembling them out of the car. It is one of those jobs where it either goes straight in or you are fiddling around for hours. When you get too frustrated leave it and when you try again it will probably slide straight in.

Make sure the little bush in the crankshaft tail is a) present and b) not damaged. This where the nose of the gb input shaft engages over the last 3/4" of the 'mating' - so it's likel;y to be where the problem lies. Maybe the clutch plate is not properly centred (or wrong way round?) - and that could be causing the misalignment with the bush. Be glad you are doing this out the car - imagine the grief when lying underneath supporting the box.........If they are both 1098 parts - the backplate holes will align perfectly. Post up some pics ??

It may also be the dowel pins not matching up, there are two of these top and bottom on the backing plate and the holes opposite on the gearbox. Worth checking them in case there is an old one still stuck in place.

Don't be tempted to put the bolts in and "wind it on" or something will break.
I'm with bmcecosse in thinking the spigot bush needs looking at as I think the splines would hold the box further back.

checked all over, tried the clutch plate on the splines and fitted like a glove, fitted the gearbox to the engine without the clutch on, and it mated up beautifully.

replaced clutch and fitted g/box again. fitted with great ease and very well.

can only imagine it was either the clutch wasn't centreed properly or that the splines simply where not engaging

It would be the centering - great success! Well done.