mg gearbox

[stuupnorth]

hi all
can anyone give me any info on mg midget gearboxes
i have the chance of a mg midget box with an output shaft number 22g171
it has hydraulic clutch which make me believe its defo a midget box unless any knows different
am i right in thinking its a 1098 midget box not a 1275(which I'm after)
any help would be great
Stu

[philthehill]

Have a look at this data list compiled by IslipMinor

gearbox data 1.jpg (132.31 KiB) Viewed 1347 times

From the above data the gearbox you have been offered appears to be a 1098cc Minor gearbox with a MG Midget clutch release arm fitted.

The most obvious identification as regards the 1275cc gearbox is that it has a reverse light switch fitted to the remote housing by the gearstick.

[stuupnorth]

ok mate
cheers for the diagram very helpful
the box im looking at doesn't have a rev switch set up
and going by the info on the diagram its a 1098 minor box as the shaft number shows?
it was the hydraulic clutch that threw me

[philthehill]

'A' Series gearboxes get moved around the BMC range with impunity so what you have been offered is not unusual but it is always best to ask if not sure.
Phil

[stuupnorth]

yeah hence i thought i would check with someone with more know how than me
many thanks

[IslipMinor]

The 1098 box and hydraulic clutch were fitted to the MkII A40 Farina. All the parts are the same as the Minor, with the exception of the clutch release arm.

I have attached an updated version of the list that Phil shows, and as you can see the ratios on the Sprite/MG version of the box are closer than the Morris, Austin etc. Also the 1275 version has a higher torque capacity than any of the others, oh, and a reverse light switch!

A-Series Gearbox Component Part Numbers v7.jpg (428.88 KiB) Viewed 1291 times

[ManyMinors]

Not all the 1275 Midgets had reversing lights factory fitted. Mine didn't, so it never had the switch or fitting for one. That came a year or two later

[IslipMinor]

That's interesting. The earlier BMC Parts Manual for the Sprite/Midget lists the switch with a change point of 12CC/Da/H12411 on, but nothing shown on the exploded parts diagram, whereas the later BL Parts Manual simply states '1275 Engine' for the reverse light switch with no introduction date!

[ManyMinors]

The 1275cc Midget was introduced in late 1966. Mine was early 1967. A year or so after that, reversing lights became a standard fitting - possibly at the same time as the MGB also gained them(?) but there was definitely a year or two of 1275 Midget production when the earlier type remote housing was fitted without the facility for the automatic switch.
Of course, a lot of MGs have had them retro-fitted .
One of my Minors has the engine and gearbox from a Midget fitted. The previous owner had purchased an exchange "reconditioned MG Midget gearbox" from a well known MG specialist shortly before I bought it. I have the receipt. The gearbox supplied is a standard Minor 1098 'box however

[philthehill]

According to MOSS

https://www.moss-europe.co.uk/switch-re ... soc=406002