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MG MGA - New to MGA side...Info needed
| Hi from the "dark side" (TD/MGB).... Anyway, I'm replacing "Rocky" my self-restored '52 TD, and have my eye on an "A"...('60 1600) A nice car...But too far away to test drive.... I do my own work, so I'm not afraid of getting into it. Have owned 6 British cars, but never an MGA.... Thanks for suggestions.... I'm pretty confident that the car is in good mechanical condition.... I have read about 2d gear issues with these cars... Owner claims tranny works fine...I have noticed that when available, 2d gear sets cost more than a rebuilt tranny. What "gives" with that? Thanks for your input. (photo to follow ASAP) Edward |
| Edward Wesson 52TD |
| Cannot post photo...too small a file. Edward |
| Edward Wesson 52TD |
| Ed, the 2nd gear thing is usually due to worn synchro rings, which are fairly cheap. |
| Art Pearse |
| MY personal thinking is that an MGA is easier to restore than a T-type.The only wood that you have to "play" with are the floors. You would not think that the ride of an "A" is so much better (more comfortable) than a TD/TF, but it is. |
| David Werblow |
| To continue this conversation, were all 1600 trannys syncho in second, third and fourth? Were all 1500 trannys "crash boxes"? Is there an easy way to tell from the engine compartment, which tranny the car has? Was the 1500 body the same as the 1600 (not Mk2 or Twin cam)? Easy way to tell if the emblem has been switched, from a 1500 to a 1600? Thanks Edward |
| Edward Wesson 52TD |
| Ed, From your original post it seems that you are "imagining" things that might go wrong. It takes many thousands of miles for the 2nd gear synchro to start giving trouble. All MGA gearboxes have no synchromesh on first, and synchro on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Check out www.namgar.com for MGA model identification. The tail light plinths are the easy guide - small with one lens, 1500, larger with 2 lenses, 1600, and then horizontal, 1600 Mk2. Badges could be swapped over, but not usual. Peter. |
| P. Tilbury |
| Peter Thanks for the heads up...One car I've been considering requires double clutching into 2d gear, and that is why I asked about synchromesh...Maybe it needs a synchonizer. Another question.... If I were to swap trannys to a later model, I see that the later ones have an output flange....If I were to change the driveshaft, (to a flanged one), would the length have to change? Are the mounting locations of both trannys the same? All thoughts "swimming" around...Still no decisions. Edward |
| Edward Wesson 52TD |
| Edward, send off for a Moss catalogue. This will give you exploded parts views of everything, and details of when changes were made. So if you see a part No is the same or different, that answers a lot of questions. |
| Art Pearse |
| Art Awaiting catalogue now...will definitely help...Meanwhile I have looked at the on-line Moss cat. and I see there is a difference in the tranny output shaft .... That's why I was wondering if a different length was called for.... I have had drive shafts custom modified to length for other cars, so that doesn't really worry me...Just good info to line up, in the event I make that decision. Edward |
| Edward Wesson 52TD |
| 5 different gearboxes, see here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/gearbox/gt101.htm 3 different propshafts, see here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/propshaft/ps101.htm One flanged propshaft works for all three flanged gearboxes in the MGA. All of the gearbox mounts are the same. The engine rear plate determines the starter position, and that plate must match the bell housing on the gearbox. Engines, rear plates, gearboxes and propshafts are mix and match like tinker-toys when you use the correct combination of parts. |
| Barney Gaylord |
| Don't assume that the trans and its internals are as they left the factory. Many swaps are common. See Barney's excellent site for external details of the different tail shafts and drive shaft connections used over the years. On my 1600 MKII which should have had a steel second gear synchronizer and matching second gear, while the trans case was all MKII the internals turn out to be from an earlier brass unit. Don't be like me and buy parts ahead of inspection by someone who knows what they are looking at. |
| Keith Lowman |
| Keith That's a good suggestion....While I am tempted to jump the gun, I will wait till I see the "whites of his eyes"... Fortunately, I have a lift, which will save me many hours of aggravation. Edward |
| Edward Wesson 52TD |
| The steel 2nd gear synchro ring was not standard on any MGA. It is an aftermarket part that requires a different 2nd gear. |
| Barney Gaylord |
| Well, my MGA arrived today, and I had a little time to spend going over things..... Based on a quick look, and Barney's links, my car appears to have a gearbox from a twin-cam car..... I haven't put it up on the lift yet, but from the top, it has the high starter position, and the flat "boss" near the top of the flange on the bell housing....I will know more when I get it on the lift. You can't see the boss in this shot, as cables block the view. While on the subject of trannys, is there any adjustment on the slave ?...It seems a little sloppy... Also, my 1600 engine has an 1800 head, which you can see in the photo. Thanks Edward  |
| Edward Wesson 52TD |
| Here's a shot of the engine compartment. Edward  |
| Edward Wesson 52TD |
This thread was discussed between 28/04/2013 and 14/05/2013
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