MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
I was going through a blue label OD transmission I picked up and when I opened the OD filter panel I found this:
What is this, is it part of the regular transmission or part of the OD part? Am I screwed?
It appears to be made of bronze and maybe it's the rear thrust washer on the OD?
Yep, thrust washer from the OD. You definately need to replace it. I think it's a good idea to go through an unknown one anyway and inspect everything and replace as you see fit. It isn't rocket science, but just take lots of pictures. VB makes a pretty comprehensive rebuild kit which is easier than ordering all of the 50 or so bits from Moss seperately.
Looks like the OD washer to me. Definitely nothing out of the 4spd. Don't know if your screwed. A lot depends on what you paid for the OD trans. :)
Thrust washer. Very common for these to be found in pieces. Moss has them for about $25. I was lucky enough that mine was still in once piece.
Scott - you have two choices - simply replace the washer - if possible with one that does not have the "oil slots" cut across it. If you do this, examine the aluminum housing carefully to see if there was any wear or galling due to running without the washer - if there is, have it machined out and use a slightly thicker bronze washer. The second alternative is to send the housing to somebody like Quantumechanics - they can install a much larger, pressed in-place brass bushing - similar to the one in the black-label O/D's.
When I did mine I went with the first fix - but wish I had gone with the second - at the time I did not know about John Esposito at Quantumechanics! However, the unit works just fine so I guess it is O.K.
It is my understanding that the cause of this is shifting into O/D during hard acceleration - which throws the sliding member into the washer. I also think it is one of the reasons they limited the O/D on later cars to 4th gear only - that reduces the torque through the unit, and leesens the chance of busting the washer - but that is simply a guess.
Almost forgot - no, it is not difficult to replace - get the instructions from the Octarine web site and you will be fine!
Thanks Eric.
I'll be pulling it apart this week.
Wish me luck.
I don't think all blue label o/d's have the cheaper thrust washer. I pulled mine apart and it has the earlier style and I got it from a parts yard.