Morris Minor Owners Club

Apologies in advance if this sounds more technical than it really is. My series 2 is an early 1954. The original engine no. APHM_____ has been replaced by engine no. SRA3-R-K_____ which I am told is from an Austin A30, sounds reasonable looking at the numbers. What I don't know is where the gearbox originated, but I do know that there is NO synchromesh on any gears. Is this because its an early series 2 or because of the A30 connection. Any info most welcome. thanks Alcro

This is very odd. All the A-series gearboxes I have ever come across have synchro on all gears except bottom and reverse.

The Minor (throughout it's production - 1948 > 1971) has synchro on all gears except bottom and reverse.

Are you sure you don't have synchro? or have you just got a knackered gearbox?

Cam,
This series 2 has had an almost total rebuild by its previous owner and one of the few things not mentioned is the gearbox. I fear you may be right in your assumption. Thanks for the info anyway. Alcro

Cam,
ps forgot to ask, is it neccessary to double de clutch on all gears even those with synchro or shouldn't it matter. regards Alcro

If I may be so rude to answer, there is no real need to duoble declutch when changing back. Just when the gearbox is very worn and tired. But the boxes don't mind either. I always use a bit of throttle when changing gear.

There is no need to double-declutch when changing up into any gears and you only need to do it when changing into bottom gear. In fact if you are stationary if you select 2nd gear then bottom gear (with the clutch depressed) there is no need to double declutch at all.

Onne,
You can never be rude when giving someone genuine advice, it is appreciated by me.
Its time for a confession. The previous owner of the series 2, my managing director at work, having owned the vehicle for all of 3 months and driven around 150 miles then abandoned her in our car park having fallen madly in love with a totally clapped out 1966 austin/morris 1000 van (which we now have stripped down to the chassis). I couldn't bare to see 'Julia' abandoned in this way, so I took her home to my garage and have kept her dry and warm for all of two whole weeks and have almost completed the purchase ie I haven't paid him yet. The final words of the MD as I prepared to drive off was 'don't forget there is no sychromesh on any gears and you must double declutch at all times'!!
I will now take this lovely old lady out on the road again without any pre-conceived ideas armed with the advice given kindly given by yourself and Cam.
How on earth will we ever complete the full restoration of the aforementioned van you may ask yourself, I certainly have, many times. Thanks again for your advice

It's just that you asked Cam Good luck with both cars! I have got aseries II too, sadly no longer with the original engine

Don't worry Onne. I certainly don't mind you giving advice. It's really good of you to do it!

The final words of the MD as I prepared to drive off was 'don't forget there is no sychromesh on any gears and you must double declutch at all times'!!

You'd be surprised at how many times I have heard stories like that!

As long as the gearbox doesn't jump out of gear - be glad ! Always best to double de-clutch going down to second - to save the syncro - and of course it is necessary to get into first gear for those uphill hairpins while on the move !

bmcecosse wrote:As long as the gearbox doesn't jump out of gear - be glad ! Always best to double de-clutch going down to second - to save the syncro

I bet not many people do THAT!

Incidently, just as an aside. Morris small saloon cars have used synchromesh on all forward gears except bottom since the early '30s and probably before that too! Even on the three speed gearboxes!

Well - when you are used to a Mini it becomes second nature.

Never did that on my minis. they also had synchro... Well, as you said. Each to his/her own!

I drove another 100 miles in a Morris 10/4 on sunday, and the synchromesh was really worn out. Makes it a pig to change gear in.
But I did hear those synchromesh rings were only wee copper things, which wore out quite quickly actually!

Dunno about a 10/4 - did it ever have syncro ?? The syncro rings in the A series gearbox were originally cast iron - then they became bronze - and yes if they get 'used' a lot they wear out - hence my suggestion to dd clutch into second. When they wear the little teeth on the gear take the hammering (the grating sound !!) and next thing is, the box starts jumping out on the over-run. To avoid all this a little dd clutching seems worthwhile to me.

bmcecosse wrote:To avoid all this a little dd clutching seems worthwhile to me.

Well, as I said if it works for you then great, but I have never had the need to.

Does it do any harm to change gear without using the clutch? I've always wondered this because its pretty easy to judge when the right moment to change gear is, foot off accellerator and change gear smoothly without depressing the clutch?

The 10/4 should have had them, I am not sure, it's 1933 after all. Certainly doesn't feel like it when changing back!

Well i was forced to drive my Mini 100 miles up from Carlisle (I had just bought it) with no clutch when the slave cylinder failed 5 miles up the road - and we were coming up the 'old' A74 to avoid the M6/M74 in case of problems - and it was a nightmare. I really don't recommend it !

I drove my Rover 216S back 20 miles from Stafford to Stoke when the clutch cable snapped and it was easy (once you have mastered the 'art' of gear selection by 'snicking' after setting the revs). I even raced a BMW and won

It's not really recommended practice, but if you know how, it can get you home.