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MG MGA - layshaft trouble

Does anyone know where to get a good layshaft that is the proper diameter? I have purchased two so far from different suppliers and both are .642 dia while the original is .645 Moss promises theirs are .645 but won't have any till Oct.
Charles O'Brien

I have one in my possession, purchased March 2007. I called this to Moss' attention a short while ago, that it is supposed to be 22.4-mm diameter (0.645-in). Their MGB catalog has been calling it .643-in diameter for years. Likely they have been that way for decades. Maybe this is why Moss is currently out of stock, while finding a source for proper size parts. Do let us know if you find a source with .645 diameter shafts in the meantime (and keep a lookout for bogus soft ones).
Barney Gaylord

Try Cecelia at Scarbofaire in R.I. She can tell you what she has and it size.
JEFF BECKER

I bought recently (this spring) from Moss and it was .645 and fitted well.
Art Pearse

Art you must have got the last good one. Anticipating my rebuild I got one directly from England this spring. I had read on Barneys site about soft shafts and file tested it for hardness and it was good. I was checking laygear end play using the new shaft and notice alot of radial play which was not there with the old shaft. Thats when I measured. I quickly ordered one from SF and theirs were the same undersized diameter. It has been suggested that new caged bearings may need a smaller shaft. That does not make much sense even if true as the shaft will be sloppy in the trans case creating the radial end play new shafts and bearings are to eliminate. How much radial play is acceptable? I am thinking of reusing my old shaft and bearings as it is still smooth showing little wear.
Charles O'Brien

Charles, you are right. don't matter which brgs you use, the shaft has to fit the case! FWIW I used the old style bearings.
Art Pearse

A local parts supplier who races an MG showed me a set of loose rollers to use in place of the caged origonals. This provides double the contact and support for the lay shaft. Is this the norm now days , it's the first time I've been aware of this Sean
S Sherry

Original bearings were full compliment loose rollers. The caged bearings are the cheesy aftermarket substitute.
Barney Gaylord

Sean, can you publicize the supplier of the loose roller sets? there are quite a few enthusiasts out there who would like to use them.
Art Pearse

Art, the supplier is Sportsparts in Sydney. He is very knowledgeable and carries a large range of parts down to the last screw.
Bruce himself, answers the phone

P.O. BOX 2 Thornleigh N S W 2120 Sydney Australia

Ph. ---612 9875 1144 Fax ---- 612 98751906

Sean
S Sherry

If you prefer email:

sales@sportsparts.com.au





Mick
M F Anderson

Chales-
Try John Esposito at Quantumechanics up in Monroe, CT. He's a specialist on British transmissions. If anybody will have the right part with good quality, it's him. Click on this: http://quantumechanics.com/
Stephen Strange

I bought his last three sets!
Art
Art Pearse

Stephen thanks for the lead. I checked out Quatumechanics web site and he list the layshaft as 0.643- not the 0.645 I am looking for. I called Victoria British and was told their layshafts are 5/8" by 8 1/2". When I said that can't be right she said it also listed 0.647 by the part number- thats .002 to large. I was willing to try it but I didn't have a week to spare for shipping. I put the old layshaft back in as there is still life left to it. The gearbox is easy to work on (removing it from the car is the real pain) I can always change it in the future if Art dosen't beat me to all the good parts first.
Chuck
Charles O'Brien

Call John at Quantumechanics and ask him to mike up one of his layshafts. I'll bet it is the right size as he uses them for his rebuilds. I believe it should be 16.4 mm or .6455. Somehow the wrong figure got out there and it stuck and some suppliers even used it as a spec.
Art Pearse

This thread was discussed between 14/08/2010 and 25/08/2010

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.