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MG MGA - MGB engine/1600 gearbox combination

I have had a look in the archives, just want to make sure: As I understand it an MGB engine can be used with an MGA 1600 gearbox, if the MGA flywheel, clutch and engine backplate is used. Am I correct?

Another question: Am I right in believing that the first motion shaft from the three-synch MGB gearbox can also be used in the MGA gearbox?

I do have a spare MGB shaft with the larger diameter used in the five-bearing MGB engines, so if this combination is possible I can use a five-bearing MGB engine in the 1600 coupe if the original engine turns out to be too bad.

Tore
Tore

You can use the B engine with either a B or an A clutch and the A gearbox. The B clutch is cheaper and more durable. To use the B clutch you need the front gbx cover, release arm, release bearing and clips from the B gbx (these bolt straight into the A gbx). You then either use a B flywheel (lighter than an A one, which is good) or you modify the A flywheel for the pin arrangement of the B flywheel. I have a drawing somewhere that I can mail you from when I did this.

To summarise:

Using B clutch - B front cover, B release fork, complete B clutch, B flywheel, A backplate

Using A clutch - no changes at all, just reuse all the original A parts and backplate

dominic clancy

Long time since I did this, but:
Dominic is correct to a point.
The 3 brg B 18G, GA, is identical to MGA in this regard. Can use either clutch/flywheel, and associated release parts.
The 5 brg 18GB has different backplate, sump, and flywheel due to the rear main seal. If all that stuff is used it bolts directly to MGA box, but you need to change over the clutch release parts to MGB type. Or drill the B flywheel for the A clutch - backwards step!
5 brg after 18GB you need the 18GB backplate, as the later one is bigger for the 4 synch box.

FRM
FR Millmore

Tore,

I have done this conversion and wrote up a step-by step tech article. Should have everything you need. Check your email.

Mark
Mark J Michalak

Thanks for your comments everyone, and for your detailed instructions, Mark. What a fantastic source of information this bulletin board is!

Tore
Tore

Glad we could help!
Mark J Michalak

This thread was discussed between 17/09/2007 and 18/09/2007

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