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September 29th, 2008

Please pardon our dust while we improve the website over the next few days.  If you need anything please feel free to call 616-301-2888 or email Mike.  Thank you!

Q & A: Gearbox Mainshaft Shim

Monday December 22nd, 2008
Q & A, MGA, MGB, MGC, MG T-Type, Midget
My friend and I recently pulled the engine and transmission from my 73 GT for a clutch replacement. In so doing, we noticed that the front bearing cover in the transmission was leaking considerably, and decided this was an excellent time to replace the gasket. When we removed the cover, we noticed some mauled metal sitting in the cover, which I now know to be the shim that was placed on the transmission main shaft for the preload on the bearing. Now luckily, the bearing, and it appears, the transmission was not damaged by the destruction of the shim, however, I am wary of placing a new one. Do you have any recommendations regarding this? It appeared to be a 2-3/1000th shim. Both he and I are of the opinion to leave it out. Can you comment?

This shim provides some load against the bearing so that it won't spin. There is a detailed section in the workshop manual about measuring and setting up the shim thickness. I usually use a prick punch and put about 100 punches into the surface ... read more