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MG MGB Technical - 77MGB Won't shift into gear

I rebuilt the transmission on my 77B about 1000 miles ago and now I'm having problems shifting. Here's the history:

The first problem I had was that the throw into 2nd gear is too long since it will grind if I pull the shifter down too far. It will also jump out of second when downshifting from third.

I believe the third synchro is cracked again since I occassionaly get a nice crunch when shifting into 3rd.

Within the last week I have had trouble shifting into reverse on startup. When I need to back out of a parking space now, I put it on reverse prior to starting the engine, and then back out. When the engine is running it's a painful grind and it will not engage.

After a few drives in the last couple days I either cannot shift into first, or second after driving for about a half hour. While driving, things seem to be OK until I come to a stop and have to start out in first.

When I start cold, I can shift into first and everything is generally fine until it warms up and I come to a stop.

I haven't done any troubleshooting yet, but I plan on doing a couple things:
1)Check the oil in the tranny and replace it.
2) Bleed the Clutch line.

Other than this, are there any other checks I can do short of pulling it and doing open heart surgery?

Any ideas on the culprit for the extra throw length going 2nd.
Why would the temperature effect my ability to put it in gear?
Dan Scharpf

Dan - I can't help you on the 2nd gear throw, but the difficulty getting into gear and the change with temperature sounds like you still have some air in the clutch hydraulics. Crawl under the car and shove the clutch rod all the way to the back of the slave cylinder (you may have to remove the clevis pin to get it to go all the way), Then rebleed the clutch in the normal way. You may have to repeat this a couple of times, but it should get any remaining air out of the system. By the way, before doing this, make sure that you have some head room in the master cylinder for the excess fluid to go when you push the clutch rod (and the piston) all the way back as it will push the fluid in the slave cylinder (and any air) back into the line and up to the master cylinder. If you don't have room for the excess fluid it is pushed out of the cap and dribbles down onto the pedal and floor. Good luck - Dave
David DuBois

This thread was discussed on 13/09/2003

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