Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Can I adapt a Laycock OD to my MOSS box?

As others have said this is no simple modification.

The bellhousing needs to be modified (shortened) as does the prop shaft (and the latter rebalanced)

The gearbox cross member needs to moved rearwards in the car , which means cutting the original one and rewelding it further back. The supporting mountings for the box are just a cradle at the rear (as opposed to the bolts through the gearbox lugs into the rubber bushed fittings) which does allow the whole assembly to slide forward under really heavy braking ( it happened under racing conditions once to John Mac at Croft BUT emergency braking is something that can easily occur at any time on the road)so you need an additional restraint to prevent this.

These are all the factors BEFORE thinking abut the modifications to the box itsel, as noted above.

In short , it can be done , but it does require a substantial amount of work, money and time, so if you feel like going ahead great , but don't underestimate this as a project.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

I have a Laycock OD on My 1963 +4-4Str and have had it for many years. I followed instructions in Fred Sisson's "Morgan Bedside Reader". It can be obtained from Dave Crandall. Essentially it is a Jaguar unit. As Andy G. says, "It ain't simple". I have driven this +4 twice back and forth coast to coast in the U.S. and also Northern Europe. Rarely use the OD. Only on Motorway's and I avoid them. Not sure there is room in a 2 Str. I suggest You balance Your engine and let it rev. Even if You get the OD free and You do it yourself You will spend big money. One solution is the use Morgan Spares 5spd Conversion in New York State U.S. Type 9 transmission (UK) but Bell Housing Designed by Morgan Spares. If Moss Box is a bit dodgey this might be the way to go. Frankley I like the Moss Box. But I am a bit strange.