Hello,
I've been scouring the archives for info on where to get good layshafts, but most of the threads are a bit old.
Does anyone have reasonably recent experience such that they could recommend a good supplier?
Heritage MG were mentioned, as were Swiftune and Karcraft.
I need an A+ jobbie, so I guess the Aussies might be less able to supply mine.

I'd like a good 'un, as I run a Metro Turbo car which is going to be in for some more power over time, and a good gearbox seems like a sensible starting point (although not as glamorous to work on and buy for!)

Thanks a lot.
Matt

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'68 Deluxe w/Metro engine

Personally I'd be going for Karkraft first (think I saw A+ layshafts in their price list, been a while since I looked), & if they're not able to get them, then I'd go to Minispares UK next.

cheers,

Jacob

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'72 Clubman Van - 1022cc, 295 head, 731 cam - Daily Driver
'69 Morris 1100 S - Dinged by a bus, in shed under repair
'64 Morris 1100 - Early 1100, long term project

I've had no problems lately with Karcraft's comp ones. Or Heritage MG's, which are made in Oz.

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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.

Thanks guys.
What I didn't say in my original post is that there seems to be quite wide displeasure at the softness of new layshafts, including the Mini Spares ones.
This seems to have been going on for a number of years.
Perhaps Factory X produced a squillion of them and they've been going through various shops everywhere since.

Makes you feel for the retailers when this kind of problem crops up, often well beyond the shop owners control....

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'68 Deluxe w/Metro engine

I believe Kc's current comp layshaft is NOT sourced from Minispares UK.
Ring Greg and ask. But like I said ^^ Heritage MG's shafts are good too. Both have been hardness tested by Graham Russell.
[edit] for emphasis

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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.

Guessworks will sort out an A+ one if you can't find one in Oz.

http://www.guess-works.com/

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Now with 2 extra ports!

DO NOT get a comp layshaft from Minispares UK unless you want one shaped like a banana.

Bit of an update:
KC don't have stock of A+ ones for up to a week. If they did have stock, it wouldn't be the same material as their pre A+ ones.
Heritage MG and Mini King don't have the A+ ones either.
I've ordered a hardened EN36 one from MED in UK on Graham Russell's advice - thanks for your time on the phone Graham. A reasonable 46UKP.
EDIT - That's $37.50UKP ex VAT.

Thanks again for the help.
Matt

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'68 Deluxe w/Metro engine

Well i had nearly finished telling you i bought one from MED among many other things, before i went for dinner. Now i come back to send my post and you've already gone to them.

I think MED have really nice stuff, and their customer service is great.

Agreed Matt. I actually phoned them and got a very pleasant & helpful chap to talk to.
Trouble is I've now seen all of the nice stuff they flog.
Might have to go back when the wife isn't looking.

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'68 Deluxe w/Metro engine

Once i managed to do to some hardness tests on few layshafts, below the results,
i'd say you will be fine with a good second hand A+ layshaft, they seldom wear.

- new pre A+ Australian MG Heritage layshaft 43 HRC ( sourced in 2008 )
- new Minispares A+ competition layshaft 43 HRC ( sourced in 2008 )
- used factory A+ layshaft from low milleage metro 51 HRC
- used factory layshaft from high milleage 4 synchro remote box 52 HRC
- new old stock pre A+ 4 synchro layshaft 55HRC

cheers
Luis

@lmbm,
Geez, those hardness numbers of yours seem low!:shock: Have you calibrated the machine lately?

I tested a Karcraft comp one and a Heritage MG 4 synchro one last year, both were between 61-63HRC.

If running rollers on a case hardened shaft, said shaft should be at least 61HRC, and have a tough core (ie be made from NiCr steel, not MS....).
Otherwise, the rollers flake the hardening off the shaft. As we see in varying degrees from different aftermarket brands.

I agree, original Rover A+ ones take some beating.

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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.

Hi Kev,

i felt the same when they did the test for me, the values looked on the LOW side of the scale, but at least it was ok to have a comparison among all layshafts.

Cheers
Luis

Doc If I send You one of My Layshafts and a Diff pin could You do a hardness test on them for Me Please

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" A Hundred Years From Now It will not Matter what my Bank Acount Was,
The Sort Of House I Lived in, Or The Kind Of Car I drove ... But The World May Be A Better Place
Because I was Once Important In The Life Of A Child"

so John,,, you want Kev to see how hard your shaft is???

Hmmm,,, now i know you guys are mates but that sounds awfully close to a "Bro-job" to me

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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.