Morris Minor/MG Midget/AH Sprite Ribcase gearbox stripdown overhaul and rebuild (part 3 of 3)

A 3 part series to show the stripping, overhaul and rebuild of the 4 speed ribcase gearbox fitted to the AH sprite, Morris Minor and MG midget. Doing this for the first time using garage tools i aim to show how you can overhaul your gearbox aswell
0:53 Input shaft fitting
5:50 Main gearset fitting
7:00 Fit layshaft and reverse gear
9:30 Locate rear bearing
10:36 Selector levers
19:55 Front cover assembly fitting
22:30 Rear case assembly fitting
25:35 Speedo and oil plugs
26.08 Rear remote assembly fitting
28:29 Final assembly and test

[@markgatward8765]

This will help me out big time. Have not worked on gearbox for over 2 years. Had to return back to work and forgot where I had left off. At the time , your youtubes had not been posted. Thanks. Saved for references.

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

Thankyou. Glad it has helped and thanks for watching

[@michaelw4771]

I opened up a ribcase to deal with the notorious locked in 1st gear syndrome. After fabricating a spacer to limit throw on the 1st/2nd shift shaft, your video helped re-assemble the unit, especially helping the sorcery involving the interlock balls. Thanks for the first class tutorial.

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

glad i could help. thanks for watching

[@mikerobertson5703]

I have just rebuilt my Minor gearbox after watching your excellent tutorial,thank you.

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

Great to hear!

[@fredbeverton553]

brilliant videos I have just taken my sprite mk1 gearbox apart you have been very helpful with your excellent description, shout out to eBay always good value!

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

thanks for watching. glad it helped

[@nickb5391]

@27.33, F.Y.I that oval part on the side cover with the big hole in it was for the clutch shaft on the A30 as it was designed with a mechanical clutch, there is also one on the opposite side in the main casing & that was for the L.H.D version clutch shaft

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching

[@jplacroix461]

Terrific videos for the ribcase gearbox rebuild! Well done.

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

Thanks. appreciated :-)

[@stusoldcars4248]

Ups coming along nicely 👌

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

Glad you enjoyed the video. more to come!

[@bartmotorcycle]

These videos are fantastic! I've got a barnfind mk1 midget that I can't seem to get into reverse, all the other gears are fine. I've smacked it loads and it won't budge. Any ideas how to address that before pulling the whole thing?

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

As a wild guess I’d say as a barn find the The slider and spring which lifts to allow the lever over into reverse could be seized ??? If you take the gear lever covers off to see the box you can see the top of the plunger. Look at an exploded gearbox pic to see which one. Beyond that I’d take it out if it were me for the sake of a couple of hours . The rear housing can come off then to work on the reverse plungers . Thx for watching

[@bartmotorcycle]

@@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349 Hey thanks for getting back to me! Funny enough I beat it with a 2 x 4 this morning with a bit of oil in there for a bit and it popped over. Going into reverse nice now

[@burnz501]

Thank you

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

You're welcome

[@johncampbell6694]

I also have a locked up 1st gear and plan use a spacer as well. To what extent do I need to disassemble to free up the 1st gear? I'm hoping not to have to strip it completely as I want to get back on the road as soon as possible. Excellent videos, very easy to follow.

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

If you need to get at first gear your really looking at a full strip down. Doesn’t take that long. Thanks for watching

[@adilsonanjo]

Olá! Pode me responder uma pergunta? Para trocar o rolamento do eixo primário, eu preciso desmontar toda a caixa para afastar o eixo secundário e retirar o eixo primário com o rolamento, para trocar ele fora da caixa? Hello! Can I answer a question? To change the primary shaft bearing, do I need to disassemble the entire box to remove the secondary shaft and remove the primary shaft with the bearing, to change it outside the box?

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

Yes you do need to remove the box to take out the primary shaft

[@jptoro2007]

Quick question…How much wear did you notice in the laygear? Was it significant or “normal”. If so what ia “normal” in your view ? Thx

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

I’d say normal which for me was no obvious damage or pitting just heavy polished bearing surfaces. As the repair kit has the shaft and bearings they were changed out while it was apart. Thanks for watching

[@MikeAarset]

What a great series of videos on the gear box. Nice job. Might give it a go. I have a ribcage in the corner of the garage. Maybe I missed it but did you check the clearances of the synchro gears with a feeler gauge to see if the cone part of the synchro gears were worn?

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

Thanks for the feedback. appreciate it! I did check the synchros but not explicitly on the video. Ideally you want a 0.8mm min gap between each synchro and the corresponding gear. Some say 0.025" as a cut off for replacement - as replacements look to be hard to source right now. Mine were ok and visually good, in fact i was surprised how good the whole gearbox was inside to start with!! Beginners luck i guess :-) Im hoping the gearbox it will replace will be as good on stripdown

[@MikeAarset]

@@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349 Ah nice job! Yah the box was pretty sweet. Can't wait for some track videos :)

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

Track videos you say..........hold my beer :-) give me 5 days ;-)

[@MikeAarset]

@@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349 LOL

[@martinhibbert1428]

Does that input shaft seal modification need machining before fitting ? I guess the scroll needs machining away before the new seal can be fitted.

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

yes. i purchased the cover already machined and fitted with a seal online. thanks for watching

[@martinhibbert1428]

@@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349 Thanks. Planning an engine and gearbox rebuild on my Midget. Really helpful video, very easy to follow how to disassemble and rebuild a gearbox.

[@guysurace284]

How long did you heat your case for with the heat gun?

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

not long about 10-20 seconds.thanks for watching

[@radiopirate3012]

Yes a job I am not looking forward to thanks for your. Videos

[@mgmidget-thebirthofaraceca4349]

Don’t worry. Step by step it’s not too bad just be patient and allow plenty of time