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MG MGB Technical - Layshaft Sources

In the archives there is a lot of discussion about improperly hardened gearbox layshafts flooding the market. John Twist advised being alert to this problem on one of his great videos. This leads to several questions as I am about ready to rebuild my early 3-synchro box (the one with only 3 layshaft needle bearings).

1. Are the bad ones still out there?
2. Who sells quality layshaft kits?
3. Whose parts should I avoid?
Robert McCoy

Hi Robert:

Best bet is to find a NOS supplier who has OEM BMC, Rover, Leyland, etc stock. There have been some OEM NOS parts sold on Ebay recently, with decent prices. The correct hardness issue is not limited to just layshaft; it can affect recently manufactured gears and synchros, etc.

As an example of limited sources, recently Moss and Victoria British no longer stock the late 1967 2nd gear and matching steel synchro, so you need to find OEM NOS to be safe.

I completed all my 3 synchro gearbox rebuilds with all OEM NOS parts, plus conversion to "D" overdrive.

I would telephone (not e-mail) John Esposito at Quantumechanics in Monroe CT for his advise. John has sources in the UK for hard to find original parts and his knowledge of good quality aftermarket parts. John has rebuilt hundreds of British gearboxes, overdrives and differentials. I have never had an issue with the components that he has supplied.

Good luck;
Rich Boris 67 B

Rich Boris

Thanks Boris,

My box was originally supplied with the brass 2nd synchro which I replaced about 25k miles ago. It worked pretty good for about 15-20k miles and has since gotten correspondingly weaker. No surprise.

I have had no success sourcing the 2nd gear for the steel synchro either on e-bay or on UK specialty sites. At one time the aftermarket ones were considered poor.

I'll check out Quantum. I've heard good things about him.

Yes there is a lot of dicey stuff being sold now for our old cars. Even the aftermarket rubber gearshift boots are crappy compared to the original. Much to hard and stiff.
Robert McCoy

Hi Robert,

At this stage, it would be worth it to convert your layshaft to a modified four needle roller one. They are much wear resistant after all. This conversion is not quite straightforward but improves reliability on this domain. There is or there was recently a topic on this subject on the MGA board.
Guy RENOU

I've found back the mga topic:
http://www2.mgcars.org.uk/cgi-bin/gen5?runprog=mgbbs&mode=thread&access=&subject=6&source=T&thread=2010031922243128828
Guy RENOU

Merci Guy.
Robert McCoy

This thread was discussed between 18/03/2010 and 23/03/2010

MG MGB Technical index

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