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Re: Re: MGA - Will all these parts fit together ????

To: MLAMBDIN@TOE.TOWSON.EDU, owner-mgs@Autox.Team.Net,
Subject: Re: Re: MGA - Will all these parts fit together ????
From: MGSMGBGT <MGSMGBGT@aol.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 19:02:28 EST
In a message dated 3/11/98 5:03:08 PM, MLAMBDIN@TOE.TOWSON.EDU wrote:

>I remember other readers saying they've transplanted an 1800, tranny
>and all, into an A. The modifications made were moving back the cross
>mount for the transmission and cutting a hole in the transmission
>tunnel to accomodate the starter. Also, there was a matter of the drive
>shaft; correct lenght, splines. I'll find the info and get it to you.
>Someone please correct me if I'm wrong on any of this.

I have a 5 main 1800 with a full synchro in my 57 A.  There was no problem
with starter clearance in my car, but I did have to expand the tunnel a bit to
clear the reverse light switch casting by using strips of wood and bolts to
hold the bottom in place and a jack to expand the sides enough to clear the
transmission. I did have to relocate the shifter bubble a bit.  A friend cut
and expanded his tunnel by about an inch to make it work.  We used an adapted
rear mount that utilizes the original cross tube.  It requires removing the
original mounts and grinding the surface flat.  A plate is then fastened to
the tube by means of "U" bolts, and two other members bolt to the transmission
and to the plate by means of a bolt though some rubber mounts.  We are working
on modifying the mount to accept an overdrive transmission, but to this point
we have not accomplished this.  
        The 1600 drive shaft will work, or a B drive shaft may be obtained.  It 
does
not  matter because they are identical.  The shaft will need to be extended 1
3/8" which may be accomplished by having an aluminum spacer machined to that
thickness of by welding a piece into the drive shaft.  The 1500 drive shaft
must be replaced, because it works on a splined shaft and has a sleeve that
runs through a seal in the back of the original transmission.  Hence there is
no provision for bolting it to the back of the full synchro transmission.  I
would also recommend replacing the rear end with a 390 unit out of a B.  This
should make the speedometer work well, but you may need to buy a longer
overdrive cable to make things work well.  You will also need an electronic
tach from an early B, as Barney and I alluded to earlier.
        If you use an engine from a '75 or newer car, I would recommend you 
replace
the cam with a piper 270 or something similar, with the A carburators and a
good header.  Depending upon the condition of the engine, you may want to heat
it up a little more, especially if it needs to be rebuilt regardless. 
        While they are not currently in production, the mounts are available for
$100.  This does not include any provision for extending the drive shaft.  I
do have some interest in the production of these mounts, and do not want
demonstrate poor manners on the list, so I will not mention this again.  Thus
if you are interested reply to me privately.  If there is enough interest I
will have another run made.  I will also reply to those who are interested in
whether or not it is modified to accept an overdrive transmission.  But since
this is a hobby, it is not likely that the modification will be available
before summer.

        This is, by no means, the only way to use such a transmission.  It also
requires a great deal of work and some hand fitting.  But it is the simplest
way I know of to make the conversion.

Bob Shaw
Lincoln, NE.

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