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regarding rare trannys

To: mgs@autox.team.net
Subject: regarding rare trannys
From: wzehring@cmb.biosci.wayne.edu (Will Zehring)
Date: Wed, 29 Nov 1995 15:28:27 -0500
Fellow fiends:

The ever efflorescing Denise Thrope asks whether or not she should save the 
appearantly rare tranny box sans 1st gear synchro but avec backup light 
switch, instead of giving it away.  You could put my supply of tranny 
knowledge in a thimble; but that won't stop me from expressing my opinion.  
I'm in the final stages (or is it throes?) of having an early OD box rebuilt 
for Old Whitesides.  The biggest problem with a rebuild on a tranny (at 
least the early crashboxes, in my humble experience, having done it twice) 
is not the bearings, not the synchro rings, not the backup light switch, and 
not the gaskets... its the laygear.  This is a lovely piece of metal that 
takes a beating (what with worn or non-existant syncrhos and hot shoe 
drivers) and is to the best of my knowledge essentially not possible to 
"repair."  You just try to find another one "out there" that is in 
servicable shape.  This probably goes double for the crash boxes as the 1st 
gear teeth can be really knawed away.  My understanding is that OEM old 
stock lay gears are approaching $500 a piece.  Good used ones command up to 
half that price, maybe more as the years go by and demand increases.  This 
strikes me as one of those parts for the humble MGB, increasing in number AS 
WE SPEAK, that is made of unobtanium.  

So, my guess is that if someone with that 'rare' late '67 B with back up 
lights but without 1st synchro needs a tranny rebuild, it won't be because 
his/her reverse switch is broken.  It will be because of other internal gutz 
that are more (or less) available.  If Ms. Thorpe's laygear is in good shape 
she should save it (for herself)!  Unless, that is, she wants to give it to me!

Will "talks a lot, don't he?" Zehring


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