For Laurie AND David

Originally Posted by Mogdavid
I have a 1996 +4 4 seater. My comments, relevant or otherwise, as a learner DIY home mechanic:
I have the R380. It can be clunky when changing into 2nd gear, mainly when the gearbox oil is cold. Searching on the internet, I believe this may be a common issue with this box (and the 4wd versions fitted to Land-Rover vehicles.). Slower changes and/or double de-clutching, when the gearbox oil is cold, seem to help. It is not much of an issue once the oil is at working temperature. I was lucky to have an access hole provided, I think, or maybe i fed a fill tube down from the handbrake slot? I think I have a recollection of using a torx socket and a spanner, the same as someone above mentioned.

Hi David,

We are all "home mechanics". smile Hobbyists are very different from professionals.

As I briefly mentioned, the R380s made before February 1999 had a problem. I bought my first of three 2wd R380 in 1999 as I was advised confidentially by a LR bigwig in 1998, to wait and make SURE the box was made after that date. My suppliers of the three boxes, bought a different times, were the MMC and the very sweet John Eales. As a head's up, aside from the Sheally experience, I have never had an issue with any of these R380s in almost 300,000 miles. I fear the issue my contact was worried about has appeared. David Ashcroft speaks of it on his site. I can contact hi if you wish. However, Rover Plus 8 gearbox work is an engine out job.

You might be interested to know that a 2wd R380 is extremely sought after now. I have a please-find-one list a km long. A used box is now worth double and more than what I paid for them 25 years ago. I am idly (PUN!) thinking of a T-5 variant or a Aero final ratio.

Lorne

Hi again Laurie!

Originally Posted by The unpaid groom
Lorne, The first issue I have is that the inspection panel is on the passenger side of the gearbox tunnel where the speedo connection is.

The access to the speedo connection is yet another access, and yours is placed like mine. I fear you may have not lift the leather shroud on the gearbox high enough on the other side. The filler is much farther forward than the speedo on the others side. It is merely a little sliding disc that allows you to remove the filler plug with the long end of an Allen key and fill from you driver's footwell. Though LT77s have their filler/drain plugs all over the place, that is not the case with the ultra rare 2wd R380s

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I've seen on gomog that you can make your own inspection panel, but I am not sure if am up to doing that.

Cars are design to be much easier to manufacture, with nothing in the way, than to repair. The later aluminum gearbox covers are nothing special..merely much easier and cheaper to make than the earlier covers. (I have had both in my Morgans) I won't dwell on this. 😠

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I have heard that removing the gearbox tunnel is quite a difficult job.

Oh yes. A pig of a job for a car famous for being owner friendly. I don't have the patience for nonsense. It adds 5 hours to any of the many minor, otherwise 15 minute jobs home mechanics need to do in that area. The savvy dealers with Morgans all do the same.

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I might be able to get the car on some ramps but it will still be a struggle to get under the car?

No. Jacking and jack stands arean ABC basic for a Morgan home garagiste..a small lever jack and 4 jack stands. They are cheap and absolutely vital. A trad is a super light and little vehicle.

JACK https://shorturl.at/KCuRC

4 STANDS https://tinywebs.site/8zrKSf

Once you have your car on stands, take a look under adjacent (driver's side) to the gearbox. Do you see the drain?

https://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/MorganR380filler&Drain.jpg

When you at that far along. Ask for another email. But it is very simple form then on. Assuming you have, on hand,
1. a crush washer for the drain
2. a big flat pan for the oil to drain
3. the right Alloen key (for the filler)
4. the right spanner or socket to remove the drain plug.

But you always discover that the cost of the tools you need is less than what a mechanic will charge you with the added benefit that get to keep the tools!

Lorne