Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[TribalElder]

My 1946 Morris 8 series E requires a new gearbox and I was wondering if anybody knew of a compatible gearbox with the 4 speed 1946 version? I was thinking along the lines of Morris Minors of the 50's etc.

It would open up a bigger range of choices, from Austins as well.

I've had to park up my Morry 8 as the gearbox died last night.

I'm also thinking of India as a possibile source as that is not far from Oz.


_________________
Ian from Oz

It's hard to run like an Emu
When you are girt by Numbats

[TribalElder]

Looking at Morris Minor gearboxes online and they seem to have a gear-selector extension but otherwise seem much the same. I'm assuming that extension is easily removed to give me direct access to the gearbox selector as needed by the Morry 8?
_________________
Ian from Oz

It's hard to run like an Emu
When you are girt by Numbats

[ukdave2002]

Hi Ian

Have you had the faulty gearbox apart? They are pretty simple to repair, all the bearings are available new, worn layshafts are a common problem, and can cause poor or non selection of all gears. New layshafts are not available, be can be very easily fabricated from 5/8" stock shafting and 10 mins work on a lathe or pillar drill.

NOS gears do appear from time to time on ebay, funnily enough most are found in Australia as C&J (Coote & Jorgensen Ltd Sydney, later taken over by Borg-Warner) made them long after Morris did failing that I have a pile of 8 gearbox's some that are used for spare, will happily sort the bits out if required?

There is a little bit about rebuilding an 8 SE gearbox on THIS post, I can most some more info or pics if required.

Fitting a post war minor box will involve a propshaft mod and as the mountings are different,some additional fabrication will be needed. I'm not sure where the "loosing the extension" would require the gear lever to be? it will probably require a custom lever?

Keep us posted with progress

Cheers

Dave

[TribalElder]

Thanks for the info Dave. I haven't pulled the gearbox apart yet, too many other things happening. A few people have contacted me with additional info which I will publish when I get a chance. I've been told that early MM gearboxes should do the trick if this one cannot be repaired. Repairing is my preferred option as everything else is original.

Probably be quite a few weeks before I get a chabnce to remove the box, will do my usual picture parade as I go in and out
_________________
Ian from Oz

It's hard to run like an Emu
When you are girt by Numbats

[Roadster]

I have an MM and a Morris 12. The boxes on those look very similar on style.
Given the common 918 side valve engine between the mm and the 8 id be surprised if it didn't fit. I can check some parts for photos if you like. Mm does not have gearbox extension.

There are some guys in tawoomba who have lots of mm stuff. You can find them on the mmoc forum in the section on series mm. They can possibly help you out with your gearbox, or an aluminium head, twin carbs etc.

Let me know if cant locate them.

Cheers,
Matt

[TribalElder]

Thanks for that info Matt. I have an alloy head on my spare engine but will check out the mob you mentioned
_________________
Ian from Oz

It's hard to run like an Emu
When you are girt by Numbats