Austin Healey Sprite - Gearbox removal.

[justinbaker]

Hello folks I have just bought the Austin Healey Sprite that was on ebay. First gear pops out at 10MPH, so I want to get it fixed as the box is quite noisy. I remember removing an engine more than once on a Midget 1275 many years ago in 1990. Is the easiest method to remove the box from under the car, or take the whole engine/box assembly out in one sitting?

[Samcat]

The only way to remove the Gearbox in an AH Sprite is to remove the engine first. You can remove the engine with the Gearbox attached in one go, but it needs to be lifted at about 45 degrees so you'll need some clearance above where you are working.

[adrianr]

Indeed, 'tis the only way. Couple of tips from memory:

- lay in a set of gaskets for the exhaust and inlet manifolds, and then remove these completely to get a bit more clearance. Also use a piece of plywood or something to protect the radiator during engine removal and reinsertion, and remove the fan as it's easy to hit one with the other.

- if you have small hands, you can also do the job without disconnecting the propshaft at the rear as there is just enough space through the gearshift hole to mate them up again. Drain the gearbox oil first though, or your prop tunnel will be safe from rust forever.

AdrianR

[samcat]

From memory the Radiator has to come out to allow enough clearance, and the Bonnet has to be removed