[Zmagnette] 4 synchro MGB trans in ZB

[Kelvin Dodd]

Allen.

The bell housings are the same depth. There are four different designs for the B series. Three for the small, early bell housing and flywheel - low mount starter MGA, high mount starter MGA, early MGB (different starter location), late MGB with all synchro trans.

Shifter location is determined by an offset arm welded to the bottom of the stick.

I installed a T9 in my Magnette and I had to cut a small half circle at the rear of the original opening. Then move the shifter cover assembly back about an inch. There is no conflict with the hand brake.

The claim of no sheet metal modification is a bit optimistic. In addition to the shifter location, the ribs near the front of the tunnel need to be bumped upwards to clear the taller transmission. Not a big deal on a lift, but a PITA without one. I had a friend stay in the car and hold a heavy chunk of iron (railroad track) against the tunnel, while I hammered from below with a big 'ammer.

I am very happy with the conversion in my car. The shift feel is similar to original. The supplied shift lever accepts the original knob and is in the original position, so it's virtually impossible to tell a conversion was done.

Kelvin.



From: zmagnette-bounces at autox.team.net [mailto:zmagnette-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Allen Bachelder
Sent: Monday, December 02, 2013 9:38 AM
To: List for the Z Magnette Group - North America
Subject: Re: [Zmagnette] 4 synchro MGB trans in ZB

Charlie,

I just looked at the Hi Gear website (http://hi-gearengineering.co.uk/content/view/16/31/) and note that the Z Magnette kit includes a bell housing designed for the  MGA.  Could this be shorter than the MGB 4-sync one?  Further I note that Hi Gear offers conversions for both 3-sync and 4-sync MGBs and they claim that no holes need to be drilled and no metal needs to be cut.  The 4-sync trans is longer, so if the MGB Hi Gear kit  you're offered is for a 4-sync car, then the shift lever  will come through the tunnel further back.

Two courses of action:

1.)  It is likely that the shift lever will not come through as far back as the parking brake handle. My yardstick here is the Datsun/Rivergate and Rivergate advertises that the shifter will come through the original hole on 4-sync MGBs.  To make it fit on my Magnette I did have to trim the hole back (1-1/2 to 2" is sufficient). I did move the brake handle back 1-1/8" and raised the front bracket so the thumb release would clear the shifter turret comfortably.

2.) Contact Hi Gear. Tell them what you have and ask what you need to make the T9 transmission fit your Magnette.  They charge £805 for the complete kit (not including gearbox) and £625 for the gearbox itself. That comes out to about $2230 US - so figure your savings on the used conversion and calculate how much more you might like to spend before you eradicate  your savings.  I would hope that the only difference would be the bell housing and that you could buy just a new one without the whole kit - at considerable savings.  Maybe you could even get a core charge for the one you have.

Whatever you do, contact Bruce Woodson about your options. He's importing and installing a lot of these now.

Holiday Cheers,
Allen

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