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MG MGA - Second gear synchro

'58 roadster that's difficult to shift down to 2nd gear. Been told that the 3rd-to-2nd gear syncho on these transmissions is a weak point and that, even after a full rebuild, you can't downshift cleanly to 2nd at speeds above about 15 mph without double clutching / heel-n-toe'ing. Wondering if that's true and if it's worth spending the money on a rebuild.
Bill Patterson

Not true. A new 2nd gear syncro ring makes the downshift to 2nd gear slick and easy with finger tips and wrist at almost any speed. If you regularly ham fist it for competition the 2nd gear syncro ring will wear out early, like 80,000 miles or so, about the same time as the layshaft. gearbox rebuild is pretty cheap if you do it yourself.
Barney Gaylord

Bill, my gearbox was rebuilt last winter. New syncro rings as well as many other parts. I find that without double clutching, it still won't downshift to 2nd without some crunching or grinding unless I first slow the car to under 20 mph. Accordig to Barneys claim, perhaps there's still something wrong inside my gearbox. ???
Andy Bounsall

If you use the original style synchro's they'll wear fairly quikly--but there are new improved steel synchro's that do much better. I'm still running the original box, 2nd gear synchro's have long since checked out. I double clutch when I need to. otherwise.......
R. L Carleen

This thread was discussed between 16/06/2006 and 18/06/2006

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