Morris Minor Owners Club

I am sure its been discussed, unfortunately search finds too many references to gearbox.

Is there a better gearbox available that can be fitted to the pickup. My wife and daughter intend to use it a lot once the restoration is complete and they both hate the gearbox, no matter how often they use the traveller, they crunch it into first, they cant get their heads around the idea of no syncromesh in first!.

As it is being completely stripped I was wondering if there is a better option available, I am sure Esm did them once but currently they are sold out of all gearboxes.
Cheers

a 1275 midget box is stronger and better or ford gearbox

The common conversion is to fit the Ford 5 speed gearbox - main snag is COST!
Unfortunately - the 1275 Spridget gearbox never gained the all-syncro status of the closely related Mini gearbox. Your family just need to be told to pull the lever into 2nd gear, and then forward into 1st. There is rarely any need to go into 1st gear while moving, in normal motoring!

What is the cost of a Ford 5 spee box? Does it make a more pleasant drive?

I've copied this from the Morris Minor Centre Birmingham's website - http://www.morrisminor.co.uk/index.htm under improved parts. Probably best to talk to them yourself as I'm not familiar with this conversion.


FIVE-SPEED GEARBOX FITTING KIT (NEEDS TYPE 9 FORD GEARBOX) SIERK £379.00 Transmission
A complete kit for fitting the Ford Sierra 4/5/6 speed gearbox to a 1098cc or a 1275cc engine. Different clutch combinations possible. Easy to fit with no permanent alterations to the vehicle.

FORD 5 SPEED GEARBOX RECONDITIONED (EXCHANGE) SIERRA £455.00 Transmission
A quiet strong fully reconditioned Ford 5 speed gearbox. Syncromesh on all five gears. Fifth gear ratio is 0.82:1. Gives 20mph per 1000 revs turning the 1098cc Minor into a comfortable 70mph motorway cruiser.

Thanks for that. How easy is it to get a gearbox to exchange? is is something common in breakers yards.

There are various versions of that gearbox - so if going ahead with this - best ask MMCBirmingham if they will do a deal for outright sale of a box - or if they can specify what box you need as an 'exchange' unit. It's an awful lot of money just to save the tiny bit of learning how to engage 1st gear!!