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MG MGB Technical - Clutch question

Hi MG Folk

Long time lurker here.

Im in the process of doing an engine conversion in my beloved BGT, the question Im strugling to find an answer to is the Gearbox in relation to the clutch.

My Said conversion includes the "well used in MGB's" type 9 gear box. As standard the gearbox is Cable operated and thus I want to retain this. I understand companies do the conversion kits so your B-Series will mate to the type 9 and I can only presume they account for this issue. However being a homebrew install these companies wont give me details on what Hyd slave cylinder they use.

So my question is what slave cylinder is used in the conversion or is the whole system converted to cable?

Cheers in advance
Nathan
N Butler

If you have cable operated clutch it will be the first that I have heard of in an MGB. They clutch master and slave cylinders.
darnoc31

Whioooopps Typo

I meant to put I want to retain the original system, not convert to cable.

Cheers.
N Butler

The kits, on the market today, come with a specially manufactured bell housing that mates the T-9 transmission to the B engine. It comes modified to accept a hydraulic slave cylinder as the original did. RAY
rjm RAY

Humm I thought as much, however I cannot see these companies producing their own Slave cylinders etc, Im also pretty sure the standard one does not have enough throw for the t-9 box. I could be wrong there though, Im thinking the MX5 slave should do the job but if someone had one of the "Said" gearboxes they could let me know what slave is being employed.
N Butler

Nathan, did I read wrong in The MG Enthusiasts' magazine that Frontline as well as other provide kits for the 5 speed conversion? Surely they could'sell' you the proper hydraulic system? It may mean buying, but you will have the tried and tested item, or they may tell you? Or, over in the USA this has been part of the very popular conversion to a V6 powered MG, they must have the system pretty well nailed. Just Google V6 conversions for MGB. Otherwise you may need to find out the exact 'throw' of the clutch, then google various popular hydraulic systems to find which matched the 'throw'. Or go with your specified distance to a hydraulic specialist and they must be able to, off the shelf sell you the master and slave combination? Mike
J.M. Doust

I have fitted the 5-speed conversion kit supplied by Hi-Gear Engineering to my ZB Magnette which has a 3-main MGB engine. The kit uses the standard Magnette slave cylinder which, in conjunction with a standard MGB clutch lever has sufficient throw to operate the clutch. No special slave cylinder required.

After all, it is the clutch that determines the required throw, not the gearbox.

Of course, the geometry of the special bellhousing and the new clutch lever pivot comes into play to ensure the correct reach of the withdrawal bearing.

Andy

Andrew Dear

Cheers for the assistance chaps.

Turns out Rally Design do a full conversion for the clutch system, should have noticed sooner being a Ford box.

Well thats it the conversion has a green light.
N Butler

This thread was discussed between 28/02/2012 and 29/02/2012

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