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MG MGA - Strange gearbox layshaft setup

Guys
I have just pulled apart the close ratio gearbox that was in my car and found the layshaft has only 2 sets of bearings. They are not needle bearings but cylindrical and are 23.5 mm long. There is no oil holes in the layshaft. There are no circlips, there are 2 spacers / washers plus the long tube which is 112mm. The laygear has no grooves for the circlips. Has anyone heard of this?
It is all in good condition so I am thinking of putting this back together as is but am unsure, should I change to the 4 bearing setup on Barry's website and use spacers rather than circlips.
Any suggestions
Thanks Rob
R J Watson

If there is no wear, why change?
Art Pearse

Where do you live Rob? I would like to have a look see. I have rebuilt several MGA boxes. Always keen to see any differences. I do know that some commercial vehicle gearboxes in the Nuffield range had bushes instead of needle rollers in the gearbox. Usually the diameter of the lay-shaft was larger too.
Email me I you would like me to have a look.

Regards John
John Lambie

John
I think we live fairly close I am at the vines, so it would be great to get your thoughts. Will email my address separately.
On the gearbox a bit more info, there are 20 rollers at each end, they are 3mm diameter but there are no casings. When I said they are not needle bearings I really should have said they do not have the conical points at each end. They are cylinders like the Bearings in the input shaft. Interestingly my input shaft has 3.16 mm diameter bearings not 3 mm and there are 16 bearings not 18.? I am sure I did not loose any.
The paperwork that came with the car says the gearbox was built by Ray Skewes Auto

Art the reason I am a bit concerned is that there was a whine and all the big bearings are good so I thought it must be the layshaft?

Thanks
Rob
R J Watson

Hi Rob

I am on the farm at this moment but will be driving past the Vines possibly on Thursday afternoon. I could drop in if it is convenient.
Ray Skewes is a well known T Type Guru in Adelaide and highly regarded. I thought it may have been a Needham close ratio set (from Melbourne). They differ from the original BMC close ratio gear sets. I have rebuilt close ratio box in MGA deluxe racer. You may have seen in "round the houses" at Northam and Albany. Still holding together after 15 seasons.

Cheers John
John Lambie

John
You are correct, gearbox was John Needham, engine was skewes.
Earliest I can home is about 5.50 from work, is that too late?
Thanks
Rob
R J Watson

Hi Rob
Yes probably I have a MG TC Owners Club meet that night and I have to pick some one up at Swan View.
Would have to be some day early next week.
If it is a Needham box, they were built strong, and noise a secondary consideration. You may need to go back to a standard g/box for quiet running.

Cheers John
John Lambie

This thread was discussed between 18/11/2012 and 21/11/2012

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