Kirk,
The MGA has a dipstick stuck in the filler hole accessed through the
tunnel carpet.
The Bugeye, and others, have an access hole throught the top of the
tunnel near the heater wall and have a fitting on top of the gearbox's
left (North American, driver's side) side that must be removed. 11/16"
comes to mind (?). As it is a bit off center it can be difficult to get
the plug started again, flexible or U-joint socket holder helps. I also
use a funnel with a flexible outlet (funnel with a hose attached). On
the Sprite/Midgets, as there is no dipstick, the manual states that the
oil (engine oil....I use Castrol 20W-50) must be level with the bottom
the filler hole....little finger works well.
If I'm reading you post correctly, the bolt through the tunnel you found
may be one of the rear tranny yoke mounts, which does not go into the
gearbox. If you pour oil past the gear lever it will end up inside the
propshaft tunnel as the lever is remotely mounted and not directly over
the gears.
Gurus, please correct me if I'm wrong.
Dave
59 :{)
59 MGA
05 MC S
KrkLH@cs.com wrote:
>Dear Spridgeteers and all those with the same penchant that I share regarding
>the look, the vibe and of course that wonderful musty smell of older British
>sports cars,
>
>Oil Filler Hole Question as Follows For My '59 Bugeye With Current Smooooth
>Case Gear Box:
>
>
>I have always heard that the filler hole for the gear box was nearly
>non-reachable (like my MGA). If I recall correctly, with the MGA you had to
>really
>get under the car and reach up and around to get to the filler bolt and hole.
>I
>thought it was also said of the Bugeyes that to put lubricant into the gear
>box it is easier to pour it in through the top past the gear lever with the
>gromet removed.
>
>However, looking at the tunnel on the drivers side I note that there is a
>bolt in the tunnel just about where my calf would be when driving - or about 6
>inches toward the front of the car from the gear shift. I have also noticed
>that the early original mat that came with the original Bugeyes had a note
>embossed on the drivers side that said something like; 'lift mat here for
>filling
>the gear box." (Something to that effect).
>
>So I found the bolt. After unscrewing it - it does appear that this is a
>direct inlet to put oil back into the gear box, or to top it off ?
>
>It also looks like it bolts through the sheet metal that makes up the
>tunnel/frame of the car and then secures itself into the gear box almost in a
>sense
>pulling the tunnel's sheet metal snug against the outer gear box wall. (I
>would
>think that this would hinder the gear box from being able to vibrate freely
>against it's rubber mounting mounts - correct)? I guess it just looks like a
>"different" way of engineering things.
>
>So anyhow - this is a fill hole for the gear box, yes or no?
>
>You can top off the gear box to the level of this whole like one might do
>with a differential?
>
>
>
>Kirk Hargreaves
>Nor Cal Bay Area
>1959 1275 Bugeye with Puke Vomit Yellow Paint Job that even Earl Shibe
>would not want his name attached to. (It is getting a pro old Eng white
>re-spray next month)!
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