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MG MGA - Mga rebuilt trans

Someone in my area is selling a rebuilt mga trans that has been sitting in his garage for the past 15 years. He sent it out for a rebuild for a customer that never returned. He's selling it for $300.... Is this worth the hassle or should I assume the seals are all bad. Thanks for your insight.
Mark Zelezen

If it was me, I would put the original box into long term storage and put the $300 towards a 5-speed conversion. At the end of the day it depends if you you are an original spec enthusiast. If you are then you would refurbish your own box rather than get another.

Just my thoughts.

Steve
Steve Gyles

No reason the seals should go bad sitting, assuming they had enough oil/grease on them to prevent rust on the contacting metal bits. I have plenty of seals around here that are 50 years old, as new.
There are only one, or two on later boxes, anyway. Paper gaskets should also be OK once they are installed and bolted down.

FRM
FR Millmore

Of course, Steve, you could also take that $300 and put it towards a Mazda Miata. :-)
David Breneman

Mark,
All being well that ($300) sounds like a very fair deal to me.
N McGurk

For $300 no way could you recon your existing box. I'd be inclined to bite this chaps hand off. It's a bargain.
Iain MacKintosh

$300 is a good deal for a rebuilt gearbox. I rebuild my own in a few hours and have never spent anywhere near $300 for parts, but I do replace a broken gear occasionally.

Layshaft and 2nd gear synchro ring always need to be replaced. Layshaft bearings may or may not need to be replaced. Gaskets and seals are cheap. Mainshaft ball bearings are commonly good forever. 2nd and 3rd gear bronze bushings may occasionally need to be replaced (but only if measurement shows wear). 3rd and 4th gear synchro rings are commonly good to re-use (although I have heard of a few isolated cases of broken or oddly worn parts).

For the early and mid 1500 type gearboxes the rear bi-metal bushing usually needs to be replaced once in a lifetime, and they usually have never been replaced. It is a bit of a chore, and original type parts are not available, but you can substitute plain 660 bronze bushings. Replacing the rear rubber mount is another chore, but can be done at home with a little sweat equity.

A high mileage unit may have rounded off edges on 1st gear teeth and worn shift selector gates, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. Slightly worn shifter parts can make for slick and easy shifting, where all new parts may be slightly stiff and a little "notchy" to the touch. If the gates are badly worn, then use the best of whatever used part you may have on hand. Spare gearboxes are still plentiful, as they seem to follow me home like stray puppies.
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed between 05/06/2012 and 07/06/2012

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