Anyone know anything about 2.4l RM gearboxes?

[john2443]

My Healey has a Riley big 4 2443 engine and box, the engines being rebuilt and the box is sitting in the garage, I haven't driven it so have no idea about the condition, so the question is, do they have any particular weaknesses?

I know it's a bit of an obscure question - I have looked on the Riley discussion board, but there's so little traffic on there that I'm unlikely to get a reply!

I can have it rebuilt for about £500, but if they tend to go on forever it doesn't seem worth it.

thanks

John

[RW774]

Hi John, my advice to you is to replace gaskets and seals and check the bearings. Generally the box is very durable, but in a Healey it may well have ahd a hard life. There are plenty of second hand units available. Be careful with your engine, amd make sure you use a low detergent oil. I have seen many conversions from white metal, disintegrate and appear to have a crazing on the bearing face. I`ts not the strongest engine in the world

[john2443]

Thanks.

'Box now apart, front bearing has some slop in it, rear one feels OK, teeth are all there, so as suggested I'll replace the bearing and seals, and cross my fingers!

At least it's straightforward to get it out again if there's a problem; the predecessor was a Sprite, so the engine had to come out to get to the box.

I'm having the engine rebuilt,so that's someone elses problem and it'll have shells not white metal.

John

[RW774]

It would be prudent to speak to the engine builder and not go in blind.Why adopt this kind of approach?. Research the problem and make him aware. It will save alot of grief between the both of you.

[john2443]

RW774 said:

It would be prudent to speak to the engine builder and not go in blind.Why adopt this kind of approach?. Research the problem and make him aware. It will save alot of grief between the both of you.

AAhh, but his response to any question is that it needs a complete rebuild and my budget is more limited than that, so if I can get away with new bearings and seals I'll take the risk that i have to take it out again.

The Riley specialist quotes about £500 for the gearbox, I daren't think what the engine builder would quote!

[RW774]

Okay sounds fair enough.