Mini syncro gears

Post by **wanderinstar** » Sat Jan 29, 2005 8:33 am

This may seem like a stupid question. But I saw the same one asked but never replied to on Minor Net.

Is it possible to fit the all syncro gearset from Mini box into 1098 one. I think I already know the answer but it was worth asking. Just in case.

Wanderinstar.

Post by **Cam** » Sat Jan 29, 2005 11:30 am

Erm....... can't really see the point myself.... You can get 1st easily if you select 2nd beforehand.

It's a lot of trouble to go to for very little gain (and in my opinion it detracts a bit from the car's character - he said with a Sierra gearbox

).

But in answer to your question, I doubt it can be done but I don't know for sure.

Post by **Alec** » Sat Jan 29, 2005 12:53 pm

Hello Cam,
it saves having to double de-clutch when selecting first on the move. Which I used to do until I fitted the much maligned Marina gearbox. Which I do not find at all unpleasant or difficult to use.

Alec

Post by **guydenning** » Sat Jan 29, 2005 6:12 pm

you mean you don't like that sound of impending violence that you get 'sans synchro'? i thought it was the 1950's equivalent of the subaru dump valve noise

Post by **sii803** » Thu Feb 03, 2005 11:15 pm

What about a retro fit into a 803 box? The long stick gives the appearance of the inside of the car a different look and a flatter floor.

It seems very little is available for this box so I would be interested to know if anybody has tried alternative parts in it.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:45 pm

I have thought about this over the years - and until recently kept a spare A series 4 syncro box to do the transfer into my spare Minor box. However - I got an offer for the Mini box (it was actually a close ratio Cooper box) and it's gone ! You will obviously need to keep the Minor input shaft - so the test is - will it mesh ok with the laygear, and will it nest ok with the mainshaft ! I believe I have heard of this being done in the dim and distant past.

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 1:18 pm

I would have thought that you would have to change the laygear as well otherwise the syncro Mini first gear wouldnt mesh with the straight cut first on the Minor layshaft.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 4:07 pm

Errr - obviously you are going to need to use the complete Mini gearset - including the laygear ! So, YES !! And that's where some fun may crop up - because the Mini layshaft is stepped - and so some mods may be needed to get that into the Minor box.

Post by **wanderinstar** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 6:02 pm

Sorry. Of course you meant the minor 1st motion shaft meshing with mini laygear. Seems obvious now but Im afraid it didnt when I first read it.
Might give it a try as I have a minor box in bits in garage, any idea what mini boxes are like to dismantle.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 7:45 pm

Same as the Minor box ! The oil pick-up has to be disconnected and left lying in the base of the box until the gears are out.

Post by **les** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 8:53 pm

The mini box is not too bad to take apart, but it must be done in sequence otherwise you will have trouble undoing a rather large nut! Personally I would say a different approach to stripping a minor box. Wouldn't it be better to look out for a 1275 midget box?

Post by **samheath100** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 10:01 pm

Cant you just buy a morris conversion kit or something that allows you to hvae a synchromesh on first. I dont really see the point as you don't use first that oftenb on a moggy anyway. (well not like you would on a modern car)

Post by **bigginger** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 10:19 pm

??????? Why would you use first more on a modern car and less on a Mog? Whenever you pull away, surely?
a

Post by **les** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 10:47 pm

I would guess he's thinking that as the minor 1st gear is so low, once you've pulled away you do'nt need to select it again as long as you are rolling, hence no need for syncro on it.

Post by **bigginger** » Sat Feb 19, 2005 11:26 pm

Doesn't the same apply to modern cars?
a

Post by **Onne** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 3:58 pm

One shouldn't ever change to first gear unless standing complete still, even modern boxes don't like that. In a Minor you can't, and you don't need to!

Post by **bigginger** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:27 pm

That's what I was taught too, and must say I've never *had* to select 1st on the move either, though I realise you might want to at a junction on a steep hill to avoid a handbreak start. If you really want to do that, you could learn to double declutch, it's not that hard.. In bigger trucks and vans it's pretty common to pull away in 2nd when you've no load on 'cos 1st is so low, but I've never heard of it in cars...

Post by **Onne** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 4:36 pm

I must say, I rarely use 1st gear in my VW caddy diesel, but then it is a diesel, so more torque down low

Post by **bigginger** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 5:14 pm

VW Caddy?Another dream car for me, that, the old MK1 body with the pick up bed... *sighs*

Post by **Onne** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 5:17 pm

It's the '96 model. Uses more oil than the minor though. I don't think caddies are anywhere near as goodlooking as a Minor pickup. Even old ones