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MG MGB Technical - Gearbox out separately?

I have had the engine out on its own a few times in recent weeks but now have to get my overdrive gearbox out of my 73 BGT.

A local mg specialist and my local mechanic both have said take them out separately, but a search of the archives on here seems to favour removal as one unit.

Might this be because they have access to ramps etc ? There is an attraction in 2 smaller lumps to move, needing less space in front of the car but lying under the car up on axle stands trying to slide the gearbox out above me balanced on a jack does present some challenges.....

Any thoughts? Having typed this I am already favouring the one lump approach
Mike Dixon

The engine has to come out anyway so my choice would be to take engine and box in one lump.
Mike Howlett

Yep-the box won't come out on it's own you have to pull the engine so out as one is the go----If you undo all the underneath stuff then sit the front of the car back on the ground with the rear up on stands makes all the angles easier for pulling the lump out and poking it back in, -with the back up you can still get underneath enough to guide things along-
willy
William Revit

It depends on the facilities you have available.

I pulled and replaced the V8 engine first then slid the gearbox out from underneath just using ramps and a small folding hoist in a single-width garage, single-handed. Once the gearbox has been pulled forwards to clear the fixed crossmember, using the engine hoist again on the front and a jack at the back, I lowered it onto a board and slid it out. The body rises without the weight, and I only needed to jack under one spring-pan a couple of inches. I did have to remove the bumper and the ST air dam to get the hoist close enough to lift the engine. On the 4-cylinder I only removed the bumper so you might need to lift the body a bit more.

Previously the two had been pulled together in a workshop and it took three of us with a 2-post lift and a large hoist to get it back. The 4-cylinder engine is a lot easier to get out on its own than the V8, and personally I would always pull then separately.

The 2-post lift did make removing and replacing the gearbox cross-member easy, it would have been more difficult just on ramps, but it came out with the gearbox and was reattached before it went back.
paulh4

I'm with Paul on removing them separately, particularly if you're attempting this job by yourself. Whilst I take on board Willy's advice about jacking up the rear of the car, the problem for many with limited facilities is the task involves moving the car to and fro.

Both components are b****y heavy, so it's just as well the box doesn't have to come out that often eg the clutch can be replaced by just removing the engine, replacing that front gearbox seal whilst it's apart.
Peter Allen

My personal preference is both together, I use an engine crane and load leveler. I start with the load leveler all the way to the rear to balance the weight of gearbox and engine and gradually bring the leveler to front as the engine comes out, this tips it up enough to get it out.
R.A Davis

I went for both together - if nothing else to try it having done the engine alone a few times.

Came out no problem - I had the use of a load leveler, so it was level by the time it fully swung out, and by having the car diagonally across the garage there was no need to roll it back.

Hopefully I will get the overdrive and box back shortly, suitably uprated. I think the challenge will be mating them with the engine. I think I will try and use the crane to mate the engine to suitably supported gearbox. Neighbour on standby!
Mike Dixon

This thread was discussed between 05/05/2022 and 15/05/2022

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