Late model OD Gearbox - fair price for rebuild?

Hey guys,

I just spoke to a local guy here in Portland - says he rebuilds OD Gearboxes; gearbox and overdrive unit - for $1400.00. I've got a 79 B. He said his OD's work in 3rd and 4th. I have been researching the various versions - and know the late model OD's worked only in 4th...I've currently got a standard 4 speed. He said also, he'd rebuild/convert my gearbox into an overdrive with the necessary switches (for driver) for $1500?

I realize Moss wants $2800 for theirs - not go'n there, too costly. The guy said he'd guarantee the work for a year as well. He's got a history I hear of decent workmanship...

For the guys that have an Overdrive out there, what's involved in the process in terms of hours and so forth? And is this a fair price, assuming the work is correct? Good price, bad price?

Thanks, Dan

An O/D installed and warranted for a year for only $1400, a turn key deal? You don't have to turn a wrench? Don't even get greasy? There's a deal.
I bought my O/D for $500 and spent $375 at the shop getting all new gaskets and bench tested, and then brought it home and did the install. Now admittedly, I can pull an engine and tranny in about 4 hours if I'm left alone and the phone doesn't ring, and I'll work for myself for about $20 an hour, but that sounds like a good deal if you have $1400.
Believe me, if you like your car without the O/D, you're going to love it with one. Its the best $900 I ever spent (and I've spent some money in my life).
If you are looking for advice, here's some, go get the gearbox, and don't look back.
Have fun

An O/D installed and warranted for a year for only $1400, a turn key deal? You don't have to turn a wrench? Don't even get greasy? There's a deal.
I bought my O/D for $500 and spent $375 at the shop getting all new gaskets and bench tested, and then brought it home and did the install. Now admittedly, I can pull an engine and tranny in about 4 hours if I'm left alone and the phone doesn't ring, and I'll work for myself for about $20 an hour, but that sounds like a good deal if you have $1400.
Believe me, if you like your car without the O/D, you're going to love it with one. Its the best $900 I eIf you are looking for advice, here's some, go get the gearbox, and dver spent (and I've spent some money in my life).
on't look back.
Have fun

An O/D installed and warranted for a year for only $1400, a turn key deal? You don't have to turn a wrench? Don't even get greasy? There's a deal.
I bought my O/D for $500 and spent $375 at the shop getting all new gaskets and bench tested, and then brought it home and did the install. Now admittedly, I can pull an engine and tranny in about 4 hours if I'm left alone and the phone doesn't ring, and I'll work for myself for about $20 an hour, but that sounds like a good deal if you have $1400.
Believe me, if you like your car without the O/D, you're going to love it with one. Its the best $900 I ever spent (and I've spent some money in my life).
If you are looking for advice, here's some, go get the gearbox, and don't look back.
Have fun

sorry about the triple post, computer glitch
H

a 5 speed kit will run 1900 dollars delivered....OD problems solved.

Hey guys,

The price is for pick up - and installation by yours truly. I did not say - in my first post - installation was included. It isn't.

I want to stay with the original gearbox - versus an aftermarket 5-speed. I'm sure they're good - but I'm in keeping with the original drive train.

Harry: I'd personally rather spend less, $900 is far more attractive to me than $1400. When I find one that price, I'd want to do the same procedure for getting the OD in top form, and bench tested. I could easily spend the other $500 on non-MG or MG stuff. Sounds like the gearbox you got - was in good shape, didn't need rebuilding - only gaskets? You didn't mention anything about rebuild?

I plan taking in more pricing, various people's skill-sets on what they want to charge and hopefully find someone who has an OD Gearbox for a good price, and one that isn't damage from abuse, mis-use or old-age. I'm sure they're out there - just a matter of finding one - (as one is somewhere right now - sitting in a garage, waiting for a proper home from someone who only wants $300 or so bucks for it -- and it works well. Thanks, Dan

Look in the Trader forum. Steve Shack up in British Columbia has one for $1000. That's not too far to drive!

In your area this would be the place I would be in contact with. Foreign Parts Positively in Brush Praire Wa. 360-882-3596. Keith Ansell is the man to talk to, he really is a sharp guy.

Swamper, (do ya have a brother named Moss?) no pun intended! ha ha!

Can you get me Steve Shack's contact info? Thanks, Dan

Jerry Wrote:

richard, it is the delux 5 speed conversion from rivergate.....great investment and bullet proof 280Z/ZX tranny rebuilt and ready to drop in. All nuts and bolts etc included even drive shaft and speedo cable with calibration.

Mine was a brother-in-law deal, an old racing buddy who always fooled with gearboxes just happened to have the O/D laying around, so I knew it was fit. Just needed gaskets from being in the shop for 10 years.
Sure, we'd all like to find the $2-300 box, but as days go by, they get harder and harder to find. I apologize for misreading the deal you described. A $1400 box, not in the car, is not quite as good a deal as the same box installed.
From what I've seen, good quality or recent rebuilds seem to bring between $800 and $1100, on the ground. My $900 fell on the low side of that group, and I got lucky. Now, four or five years later, the gaskets have begun to weep again, and it appears its either park the car over a drip tray, or pull the lumps out and re-gasket the box and re-seal the engine. Just goes to show there are no short ways out.
Have fun

Jerry Wrote:

gatorbrit Wrote:

Limey Wrote: