MGB V8 Gearbox Rebuild
Discussion
I have an early factory V8 (the 100th production model, so a very early one, with overdrive on 3rd and 4th) which now needs a gearbox rebuild. I've had the car for 34 years, and it's done 118,00 miles. I love it to bits, have no intention of parting with it and have never had any trouble from the gearbox - until now....
Ominous noises coming up through the gear lever, also confirmed today by my specialist today (after passing an MoT) Time for a rebuild. So what are my options?
It's a fairly original car, although I'm not fanatical about originality, so wouldn't rule out an alternative box, if there were sufficient advantages and the price was right. Ideally though, I'd probably prefer to have the original box rebuilt - and maybe strengthened during the rebuild.
Can anyone recommend a specialist to carry out such work? I'm in the south east but happy to travel to deliver to the right guy. How much should I expect to pay for this service and are all the parts still available to rebuild an early gearbox?
Ominous noises coming up through the gear lever, also confirmed today by my specialist today (after passing an MoT) Time for a rebuild. So what are my options?
It's a fairly original car, although I'm not fanatical about originality, so wouldn't rule out an alternative box, if there were sufficient advantages and the price was right. Ideally though, I'd probably prefer to have the original box rebuilt - and maybe strengthened during the rebuild.
Can anyone recommend a specialist to carry out such work? I'm in the south east but happy to travel to deliver to the right guy. How much should I expect to pay for this service and are all the parts still available to rebuild an early gearbox?
Hi, interested in your topic as I have the car before you, the 99th production car, now in the U.S. Is your car Glacier a White/navy interior by any chance?
On the gearbox rebuild parts are available. There are no substantial differences between the boxes with o/d on 3rd and 4th and the later boxes with o/d on 4th only. From memory there’s a detent that stops the o/d engaging in 4th in the later boxes.
I’d try Clive Wheatley or Brown and Gammons for a rebuild. Hardy Engineering in Lethearhead may also be able to help.
I’d also post on the MGCC V8 Register bulletin board and ask there. A quick google should find it. There’s also a Facebook page you can join and you could ask there too.
Love to see a pic of your car!
Regards,
Gavin.
On the gearbox rebuild parts are available. There are no substantial differences between the boxes with o/d on 3rd and 4th and the later boxes with o/d on 4th only. From memory there’s a detent that stops the o/d engaging in 4th in the later boxes.
I’d try Clive Wheatley or Brown and Gammons for a rebuild. Hardy Engineering in Lethearhead may also be able to help.
I’d also post on the MGCC V8 Register bulletin board and ask there. A quick google should find it. There’s also a Facebook page you can join and you could ask there too.
Love to see a pic of your car!
Regards,
Gavin.
Vitesse now offer a MX-5 based conversion for MGB's including V8s, not heard of any being fitted though.
https://www.vitesse-ltd.com/pages/mgb-mazda-gearbox-conversion-kits
https://www.vitesse-ltd.com/pages/mgb-mazda-gearbox-conversion-kits
Thanks for the replys guys and apologies for the delayed response. No Gavin, it's Teal Blue, not Glacier White. (Are you Gavin Bailey by any chance?) I can't post pics from work so will try to do so from home sometime.
Well I've done the esearch now, obtained quotes for rebuild, etc. and made the decision to go for the Vitesse (Mazda 5 speed) gearbox. After much souls-searching regarding originality (and I know others won't agree) I have decided that driveability is more important to me. I will keep the original 'box for originality purposes (although even now I'm really wondering what the point is) so that it can be returned to original spec (why would you?) if really desired.
Car dropped off at their (very impressive) Hinckley base, near Leicester last Friday and I will collect it in around 10 days time. Speedo recalibration is what takes the time, not the gearbox replacement. I drove their (again, VERY impressive!) V8 roadster demonstartor with the Mazda 5 speed and it was a dream. Night and day, in fact. Looking forward to the results immensely.
I did post on the V8BB and received the same suggestion as niva441, which was what got me started on the Vitesse route. As said, I've overcome the originality thing in my head now, as there are too many bits and pieces on my car which are no longer original. It's close enough for me though with 'tatseful' upgrades only. Too much to list here but it's personalised after 34 years of ownership. Still looks bog standard from the outside though.
Google Vitesse Global Ltd. and call Christian if you want any further details. He's a really nice guy and will talk you through any amount of detail. Happy to answer any other questions though.
Well I've done the esearch now, obtained quotes for rebuild, etc. and made the decision to go for the Vitesse (Mazda 5 speed) gearbox. After much souls-searching regarding originality (and I know others won't agree) I have decided that driveability is more important to me. I will keep the original 'box for originality purposes (although even now I'm really wondering what the point is) so that it can be returned to original spec (why would you?) if really desired.
Car dropped off at their (very impressive) Hinckley base, near Leicester last Friday and I will collect it in around 10 days time. Speedo recalibration is what takes the time, not the gearbox replacement. I drove their (again, VERY impressive!) V8 roadster demonstartor with the Mazda 5 speed and it was a dream. Night and day, in fact. Looking forward to the results immensely.
I did post on the V8BB and received the same suggestion as niva441, which was what got me started on the Vitesse route. As said, I've overcome the originality thing in my head now, as there are too many bits and pieces on my car which are no longer original. It's close enough for me though with 'tatseful' upgrades only. Too much to list here but it's personalised after 34 years of ownership. Still looks bog standard from the outside though.
Google Vitesse Global Ltd. and call Christian if you want any further details. He's a really nice guy and will talk you through any amount of detail. Happy to answer any other questions though.
I have owned my factory V8 since almost new in 1974.
many years ago I replaced the fragile MG gearbox with a Rover R380 gearbox. It was introduced in the mid 1990's and was used until the end of the Disco 2's and until 2007 in the Defender.
An excellent strong box, and highly recommended.
NJSS
many years ago I replaced the fragile MG gearbox with a Rover R380 gearbox. It was introduced in the mid 1990's and was used until the end of the Disco 2's and until 2007 in the Defender.
An excellent strong box, and highly recommended.
NJSS
NJSS said:
I have owned my factory V8 since almost new in 1974.
many years ago I replaced the fragile MG gearbox with a Rover R380 gearbox. It was introduced in the mid 1990's and was used until the end of the Disco 2's and until 2007 in the Defender.
An excellent strong box, and highly recommended.
NJSS
How hard/easy is it to replace a standard box by one of these?many years ago I replaced the fragile MG gearbox with a Rover R380 gearbox. It was introduced in the mid 1990's and was used until the end of the Disco 2's and until 2007 in the Defender.
An excellent strong box, and highly recommended.
NJSS
I'm seriously considering this as the OD on my GT V8 is not working and this could be an easy option...
Gassing Station | MG | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff