Hi all a quick question for the brains trust out there

After my diff deciding it does not want to play any more and do it’s job of pushing the mini (lola) in any direction.
I have spent the day pondering my options on what to do next………. Either way the engine has to come out.

So my question is……. I have a rebuilt A+ gearbox sitting on the shelf and I’m wondering if I’m going to be able to bung this under my a-series 1275 block.
I know I’m going to need A+ clutch cover as the idler bearing is bigger….. but is there any other things or tricks or problems or this will never work in a million years…….I should know about.
I’m not too worried if it isn’t a straight bolt on job……. As I have a friend of the family that has a lathe bigger than my bedroom and is fitter and turner, engineer and all round smart arse god………. Don’t tell him that ……that I can pester, beg, borrow or steal time in his workshop.
If it can’t be done then plan B of just fixing the diff will be the go………

Cheers Neil

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I have a mini because I'm not allowed to play with small thermo nuclear weapons any more. (bloody neighbours you’d think they would be happy that they don’t have to turn a light on when they need to take a leak in the middle of the night)

I have done it .....

I fitted my A+ 5 speed to my Cooper S 1275cc A Series engine..

change the idler, and drop gears I believe.......

My mate helped me 2 years ago...

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It will be a straight swap, all you need is the A+ idler & primary gear, clutch over.

I am presuming both boxes have the same drive coupling

Kiwiinwgtn

i used a metro turbo box on my MK`1 cooper engine, just got the new bearing for the original drop gears to work,

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A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "Damn...that was fun!"

Cheers guys
That sounds very promising and easy……….so looks like plan A is the go.
I did offer up a standard clutch housing yesterday to the gear box and every thing lined up, just worried about the drop gears.
Lucky the idler gear came with the box…………so will see if I can use the primary gear that I have on the original engine.

And I did some research on the net for parts and noticed mini spares did a bearing that takes the smaller idler gear to fit the A+ housing.
So if my original primary does not fit, it looks like I can fit all the original drop gears to the box.
I’m lucky it only went with a pop and not with a bang or crunches……….
The block is nearly new only three thousand k’s on it…..I was taking a chance with the gearbox as it was unknown at the time, but it was all I had in the spare parts department.
I only came across the rebuilt A+ box six months later………..and it only cost me two hundred bucks.
Right then next is the wanted section to see if I can find A+ clutch housing or if no good….. uk eBay it will have to be.

Thanks again ausminier’s I feel a lot happier knowing it can be done and not worry that I find it can’t happen, will up date this later and let you know how I go……. Or ask any more questions.

Cheers Neil

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I have a mini because I'm not allowed to play with small thermo nuclear weapons any more. (bloody neighbours you’d think they would be happy that they don’t have to turn a light on when they need to take a leak in the middle of the night)

no you won`t be able to use the old primary gear,,, you will need an A+ type to suit the other 2 A+ drop gears

they have different pitch ion the teeth, different angle ,,, different.

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

So if you got super stuck could you use the first motion gear, primary gear and idler gear from the non aplus box with a bearing carrier to allow the non aplus idler to fit.

We actual got here in nz a aplus box with the small idler gear but a plus pitch on the gears.

Kiwiinwgtn

Ha all……..

Thanks matt and everyone I thought that would be the case that I might have to get a primary gear to match.

I’m actually waiting on a fellow ausminier to see if he has one…….as he’s got the clutch casing I’m chasing and thinks he might have the primary gear.

Kiwiinwgtn yes your right I did see the bearing that takes the smaller idler gear on mini spares.
So that will be back up plan B…………..
My mother is the only family I have here in oz……..as all other relatives never left England……. Thank god
So lucky for me I have a great auntie who posts stuff to me, I buy on UK eBay…… That all started when I guy quoted me a hundred pounds to post a carby, I end up buying another one and had it sent to my auntie then she on sent it to me at the cost of twenty pounds air mail.

I’m thinking of sending her a angle grinder and instructions on how to use it and see if she can send a whole mini to in the post to me…….lol..
But then again I don’t want my uncle thinking she is having an affair with the guy in the post office…….. or the guy in the post office thinking my auntie is into seedy things as she keeps sending brown paper wrapped parcels to Australia every week

Trawling through UK eBay the last few nights I can pick up brand new clutch casings for 50 to 60 quid.
Second hand ones are around the 20 to 40 pounds……….. as for the primary gear they are around the 40 pound mark second hand.

So if unable to get any thing here …….UK eBay will be the go
Actually I’m really chuffed about it all………..the light at the end of the tunnel is I will have a really good motor under the bonnet…..
Just glad that it can be done and not going to cost so much……clutch casing, primary gear, some gaskets and odds and ends.

And lockie you maybe right I might have not done so many k’s on it…but I still have the same disk brake on the car……….can you say that…..lol

And as for you miniman……………why did you have to list lightened flywheels in the for sale section……….just when I’m about to split my motor…. Don’t know if I should shout you a drink or punch you.

Cheers everyone Neil.

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I have a mini because I'm not allowed to play with small thermo nuclear weapons any more. (bloody neighbours you’d think they would be happy that they don’t have to turn a light on when they need to take a leak in the middle of the night)

Wouldn't worry about an angle grinder, she should be able to pull a uk mini apart with a few good tugs! Most of them over there seem to be made of rust held together with paint!

Yeah shout me a drink instead,,, i`m allergic to being punched,,, the reaction is quite devistating to the puncher

i`m pretty sure i have an A+ primary gear here too if you`re stuck for one???



Matt
0407 135 656

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

I found this out the hard/careless way once. Thought "A+ box, OK use that A+ clutch housing over there on the shelf" Idler was small, housing was big...hold on, why's that idler sounding loud?

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http://www.mini-hb.co.nz

More box variety-
I had a 4 synchro remote box last week with an early flywheel housing. It has the breather flange on top, but has the 3 synchro sized idler bearing (1" OD) in it instead of the usual 1-1/16" OD one.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

More box differences. The later 3 synchro boxes, possibly those with the commonised 3 synchro case, had the 1 1/16" OD idler gear bearing. My 68 build S has this setup.

RonR

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68 build Mk1 Cooper S
72 Clubman GT project. Total restoration required