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MG MGB Technical - Sierra type 9 gearbox info

I have bought a couple of Ford Sierra type 9 gearboxes, and one of them may find its way into my ´63 MGB one day. But where can I find the technical information I need to overhaul it? Is the Haynes manual of any use?

Tore
Tore

Tore
I hadn't looked at the Haynes Manual, so no comment.
I found the Chilton Manual for 'Mustang, Capri and Merkur, 1979-88' to be quite comprehensive.
I didn't have to overhaul my gearbox--I got it from Hi-gear Engineering as a rebuilt.
The Chilton manual carries ISBN 0-8019-7825-4

Cheers, Fraser
Fraser Cooper

I bought my Gearbox from Hi Gear so have not had to do any work on it. However I did buy the Haynes Ford Siera manual (ISBN 1 85010 583 3 )from ebay priced £1 plus £2.75 postage It has a very detailed instruction on the manual gearbox (Not that with my ltd knowhow would I entertain stripping it down!!!!)
Paul
P D Camp

Tore

Try posting the question on the midget BBS...there are a lot of type-9 users over there.
Dave O'Neill 2

Thanks everybody! I have overhauled a Midget and an MGB gearbox before, and they both work, so I guess I am ready to have a go at a more "modern" design! I will look for the Haynes manual.

Tore
Tore

I can understand using the sierra gearbox to replace a non synchro . But is there a good reason to replace the later gearboxes with it. The Hi-Gear kit is quite expensive.
c cummins

Yes it is, and I have not quite decided yet. But Sierra gearboxes are getting hard to find in this country, I got them very cheap, and there is no overdrive on my MGB. So maybe...

Tore
Tore

There are plenty of 4-synchro OD gearboxes about at very affordable prices, and probably less mods to make it fit than a type 9.
Dave O'Neill 2

Tore

I have scanned the Haynes section on the Type 9 gearbox,and will get around to sorting out the images into the correct sequence this week. Mail me off board and I can send you the info.
Otherwise buy the Haynes manual - cot me €1 plus postage on abebooks.com
dominic clancy

Thanks a lot, Dominic! If things work out, you will find my email address on top of this post.

Tore
Tore

I don't think that I would fit a Sierra 5 sp gearbox to either of my B's. In my opinion the overdrive is by far the best way to go as it gives the possibility to flick easily from 3rd to overdrive 3rd when travelling on a winding road or through a town. This makes a very pleasant driving experience and much more so than having to declutch and chenge from 5th to 3rd or whatever. Besides it gives you six ratios in place of five. The overdrive 4 synchro box is really very strong and reliable and is what a true British sports car is all about.
Iain MacKintosh

I have to disagree with some of the comments on the Sierra box. It is an excellent modification for a B and particularly for the non overdrive or 3 sync. cars (mine was a 64 with no synchro. on 1st). Most that have driven a B with the 5 speed box would agree that it makes it a much more flexible drive compared to a 4 speed and overdrive and very suitable for all types of driving including motorway. The kit available to modify the B is very well manufactured and of course eliminates any problems that can occur with overdrive.
R Stevenson, Ayrshire ,Scotland
R Stevenson

Must agree with R from Strathclyde. I had the sierra 5 sp gearbox put in 6 years ago (67 BGT daily driver) and it has transformed the car. Cruising at highway speeds, there is no problem with keeping up with modern traffic.
There are other 5 speed conversions out there too, and if you don't have the option of an OD, it's a highly recommended upgrade.
Bernie Lowe

I must agree with Bernie and R.

I have a 66 B, whose 3 synchro gearbox was very noisy in first, iffy about going into 2nd and staying there, had no synchro on 3rd, but was OK in 4th. When I started to think about doing the box up the cost just went to the sky. I was offered a 4 synchro box and thought " you beaut, a dirrect swap". Wrong, to fit a 4 synchro box to a MK 1 required more mods than fitting a modern 5 speed box.
I used a Nissan Bluebird box, the whole thing costing about $A 850. The only tools required were a power drill and bits, a welder and a bit of lathe work, (which a mate did for me). The car is now totally different, a real pleasure to drive.
Whether its better or worse than an OD box, I don't know, not having ever driven one.

The photo on the left shows the MG box and engine being stood on its nose ready for the conversion, whilst the one on the right shows the Nissan box and engine being lifted, ready to go back in.

Herb


Herb Adler

Bernie/Herb
Glad to see you are happy with the 5 speed conversions. Interesting Nissan conversion that Herb managed to modify. Does it use a different prop. shaft? Bernie, how do you check the oil level in the Sierra box?

Thanks
Ron Stevenson, Ayrshire, Scotland
R Stevenson

Like others, I was very pleased with the Hi-Gear conversion using the Sierra box. I did the conversion on my 73 B and put on around 10,000 miles before selling it. As indicated above, this isn't the cheapest solution. My current TR6 has an OD transmission and I am equally happy with this. I think that it boils down to a matter of $ when thinking of a change that adds the higher ratio for more pleasant cruising - if a reliable OD transmission can be sourced at an attractive price, this is a good way to go.

Barry
BJ Quartermaine

Hi Ron,
Yes it needs a different prop shaft. When I bought the box, it came with the Nissan shaft. I took it to a local diff, prop shaft specialist, with the dimension from the rear of the output shaft and the diff flange. They modified it, by fitting an appropriate flange, shortening it, fitting new UJs and balancing it. You will also need a custom speedo cable. I fitted a new clutch slave cylinder, throw out bearing and clutch plate.
I have the complete procedure written up, if anyone needs it.

Herb
Herb Adler

This thread was discussed between 10/11/2010 and 20/11/2010

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