Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi Guys,
I have managed to get a new problem with Molly and I wondered if you could help.

Last time I took her out, a serious rattling started in 3rd gear (and only 3rd) it sounds like the something fouling with a cog. Has anyone heard of this before? the 'box is about 8 years old (since re-con) and has about 40k miles on it.

I have a couple of "unknown" spare boxes, one of which I'm using to learn about gearboxes and I may just chuck the other in to see what happens.

Any advice gratefully apreciated.

Rupert

found what the problem was ....

a big chunk of 3rd seems to be at the bottom of the box.

Drive it like you stole it?

Nah - drive it like its you that's got to fork out for a new gearbox!

Can't really tell from that picture - is the cog missing teeth? It might soldier on for a while if you can get the broken bits out.

It's a lot of work to change a gearbox - I would get an expert opinion on the condition of another one before putting it in! Chances are it was knackered when it was removed.

yeah, two teeth on third are missing. Its making a really nast sound in 3rd which is probably messing up the gear it is meshing with (not sure what the name is). I recon that if I put one of the spare gearboxes in, I can rebuild this (good) one at my leisure. What are the checks to do on a gearbox to see if it is any good?
I certainly can't afford the £300 inc vat for another reconditioned one. If I was going to spend that cash, it would be on a type 9 conversion and I don't have a spare £600!

Rupert

Hello Rupert,
check for excessive play on the input and out put shafts of your spare.
Have a lookk at the state of the gears, as far as possible and ensure that all gears select. That way you have half a chance that your spare is useable.

Alec

Checking the free play is a tough job. Unless you have a know 'good' box and a known 'bad' box net to each other it is pretty tough to know what is ok.
Generally there will be a 'bit' of slack on the input shaft but if you spin it by hand in 1st gear and it sounds a bit more graunchy than normal that is not a good sign....
That probably doesn't help

Hello Ray,
yes, but a lot of movement would not be encouraging, but the other choices are to overhaul and fit a spare or buy a reconditioned gearbox.
If on the other hand there is little slack, it's worth taking a chance and fitting it. Subjective, I know.

Alec

out of interest what engine have you got/ strange to see two teath missing..

I only ask as my tuned 1275 is tearing her box to bits