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Spitfire 1500 overdrive Gearbox into MG Midget 1500

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Spitfire 1500 overdrive Gearbox into MG Midget 1500
#1
CUDHSO Avatar
CUDHSO Richard O'Neill
Penzance, Cornwall, UK   GBR
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Hi,

I have a chance to purchase an overdrive gearbox from a spitfire to fit into my midget 1500. The available box has no gear stick. I plan on using a steering column mounted overdrive switch so I don't actually need the original gear stick with the switch etc., so long as my midget 1500 gear stick fits mechanically.

I figure there is a small chance it could fit, given the limited parts bin shared by the manufacturers when they were produced. Has anyone done this swap using the Midget 1500 gear stick and did it work well? Are there wise words I need to consider?

Thanks, Richie.

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Re: Spitfire 1500 overdrive Gearbox into MG Midget 1500
#2
Kerr Avatar
Kerr Platinum Member Norm Kerr
Ann Arbor, MI, USA   USA
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1974 MG Midget
Besides confirming if the different shifter lever will fit, you didn't mention that you will need to modify the tunnel so I bring it up just to make sure you have done a search here and found the photos which show how it was done before.

Not a simple swap, because of the structural changes needed, but like so many things it can be done with surgery.

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Re: Spitfire 1500 overdrive Gearbox into MG Midget 1500
#3
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CUDHSO Richard O'Neill
Penzance, Cornwall, UK   GBR
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Hi Kerr,

Thanks for the post. I fully recognise the requirement to widen the tunnel. It is commonly done using a scissor jack and the amount to clear is not that much. Thanks for bringing it to my attention though.

I don't follow your tack regarding "Besides confirming if the different shifter lever will fit". Are you confirming it will fit? if so, that's great. Have you fitted a 1500 gear stick into a Spitfire overdrive unit?

Thanks, Richie.

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Re: Spitfire 1500 overdrive Gearbox into MG Midget 1500
#4
mg man 75 Avatar
mg man 75 maurice sallee
Campbellsville, Central Kentucky, USA   USA
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1976 MG Midget
http://www.brit.ca/~tboicey/midget/midget_overdrive.html
Maurice

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Re: Spitfire 1500 overdrive Gearbox into MG Midget 1500
#5
Kerr Avatar
Kerr Platinum Member Norm Kerr
Ann Arbor, MI, USA   USA
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1974 MG Midget
unfortunately, no, I've no useful information

Maurice's link looks pretty informative though, hopefully someone knowledgeable will chime in about the shift lever.

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Re: Spitfire 1500 overdrive Gearbox into MG Midget 1500
#6
dlrhine Avatar
dlrhine Dave Rhine
Columbia, SC, USA   USA
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1978 MG Midget
Richard
That sounds like a Triumph specific type question.
You may want to try the folks on the Triumph experience.
When I've been stumped & can't find 1500 engine/transmission knowledge here, I go there...

http://www.triumphexp.com/phorum/list.php?8

Good Luck

smileys with beer


If it ain't broke, I'll fix it until it is! winking smiley



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-08-14 04:42 PM by dlrhine.

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Re: Spitfire 1500 overdrive Gearbox into MG Midget 1500
#7
jdeatsch Avatar
jdeatsch Jim Deatsch
Leesville, SC, USA   USA
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1978 MG MGB "Orval Shiftright"
2002 Mazda MX-5 "Two Zoom"
Richard,

You don't mention the year of the year of the Spitfire.

If you are late and the Spit is late then you're good to go EXCEPT that your shifter will not fit into the Spit gearbox unless you slot the other side (left side) of the ball where it fits into the top of the shifter extension.

If you are late and the Spit is early (three rail) then all bets are off unless you change the clutch as the earlier 1500 Spits used a 10 spline disk and the later cars, your and the Spit, use a 21 spline clutch.

Clear as much?

Jim



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-08-14 05:16 PM by jdeatsch.

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Re: Spitfire 1500 overdrive Gearbox into MG Midget 1500
#8
jmac Avatar
jmac Gold AdvertiserAdvertiser Jere McSparran
Greenup, IL, USA   USA
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1970 MG Midget "(SOLD)"
1974 Triumph TR6 "(Destroyed In My Fire)"
1978 MG Midget "Therapy (SOLD)"
1978 MG Midget "(SOLD)"
Make sure it is the "J-type" overdrive from a later Spit. The Midget shifter WILL work, however you must move the alignment pin from one side of the shifter hole to the other side. The alignment slots on the Spit is opposite to the Midget. I made the switch and used a Midget shifter on my OD tranny conversion.


JMAC

Jere McSparran
JMAC Engine Shop
Website: http://www.jmacengineshop.com
email: jmacengineshop@gmail.com
Phone: 217-232-7303


Member Services:
JMAC Engine Shop jmacengineshop.weebly.com
MG/Triumph engine rebuilding. Specializing in the Midget/Spitfire 1500 engine.
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Re: Spitfire 1500 overdrive Gearbox into MG Midget 1500
#9
CUDHSO Avatar
CUDHSO Richard O'Neill
Penzance, Cornwall, UK   GBR
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Thanks all for this great Advice. A big 'hat tip' goes to jdeatsch and Jmac, who provided me with the essential info I needed. The 'box' that was easily available is a D-type overdrive so I have saved some money and heartache by not buying it.

Mg man 75, thanks for the great link.

I shall cast my net wider for a J-Type box.

Richie.

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Re: Spitfire 1500 overdrive Gearbox into MG Midget 1500
#10
jmac Avatar
jmac Gold AdvertiserAdvertiser Jere McSparran
Greenup, IL, USA   USA
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1970 MG Midget "(SOLD)"
1974 Triumph TR6 "(Destroyed In My Fire)"
1978 MG Midget "Therapy (SOLD)"
1978 MG Midget "(SOLD)"
From what I hear, they are getting harder and harder to find. But keep looking, they are out there.


JMAC

Jere McSparran
JMAC Engine Shop
Website: http://www.jmacengineshop.com
email: jmacengineshop@gmail.com
Phone: 217-232-7303


Member Services:
JMAC Engine Shop jmacengineshop.weebly.com
MG/Triumph engine rebuilding. Specializing in the Midget/Spitfire 1500 engine.
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