Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) 5 Speed box for cross-flow 4/4

Can anyone point me in the direction of any articles on this subject? Asking for a friend.

Thanks in anticipation

My crossflow '75 has a Ford type 9 box which is a great conversion for the older cars ... mine was done by the previous owner but it appears to be a straightforward swap with a new propshaft being the biggest bit.

I believe Arwyn, TBM and others of this forum did conversions so they may be along in a while with better info.

K

Yep, drop me a PM with your email address and I'll send Mike Pullens fabulous instructions over.

Absolutely the best modification you can do to a cross flow 4/4.

70mph at 3000 rpm what's not to like.

In Mike's articles, he advises using a 5 speed CVH 4/4 propshaft. The factory quoted me £350 plus VAT for said propshaft. Firow Propshafts in Holmes Chapel shortened my existing propshaft and fitted the correct end on it for £65 plus VAT.

Type 9 boxes are getting thin on the ground now and there is an awful lot of worn out crap out there so consider getting a recon one with longer needle roller bearings

Also make sure you get a 4 cylinder gearbox, there is a V6 box with a longer input shaft which will not fit without stripping the box and machining back the input shaft

Speedo gear is another consideration- can't remember the exact ratios (its in Mikes articles) but it's the one fitted to a Sierra with 15 inch wheels. Sure you can change the ratios but it is an absolute pain in the arse stripping the box to change the speedo gears!

Arwyn
.

Agree with Keith and Arwyn. It is the best mod I've had done - cruising is comfortable and I'm getting mpg into the high 30's.

I had the modification done by Simon (SiFab) as I don't have the space at home to remove an engine.

I bought a full recon box from Burton as I wanted some form of guarantee/comeback. I kept the standard gearing (you can get a longer 1st gear) but it cost more (and my budget was tight) and I can't say I've noticed any problems.

As Arwyn said, Simon had the original propshaft shortened.

Burton couldn't tell me what speedo drive was in the box they supplied, and it turned out to be well out, meaning we had to strip the box down in situ and fit the correct one. We should have checked first, bt hindsight is a marvellous thing! I've used the ratios provided by Mike - speedo reads about 8-10% under but that could be exacerbated by the targer wheels/tyres I use. It's close enough for me, and I can't be bothered to fanny about anymore with the gears.

When I did the conversion on my 73 4/4 I did not need to replace the prop shaft. I just replaced the yoke which has the correct splines for the T-9. I also had to replace the original mechanical clutch linkage with a hydraulic set up. I got mine from Retro Ford.

If you have someone go over the box, have them put a drain plug in the bottom. Makes it much easier to get all the gearbox fluid out when doing a change.

Is there any chassis work needed to get the type 9 box to fit?

[quote=thelastgizmo]Is there any chassis work needed to get the type 9 box to fit?[/quote

Did not need to do any chassis mods other than move the rear gearbox mount back which was just a case of redrilling 4 off 1/4 holes.

I did need to take a finger nail sized piece of metal out of the front crossmember but that was due to my hydraulic clutch set up rather the conversion per se.

Arwyn

When I mount my T-9 it hit the crossmember. I just raised everything slightly. I put one washer under each motor mount, and 2 washers under the gearbox mount. That gave me enough clearance.

The T-9 is wider than the original T-3, so the cover over the gearbox had to be modified to fit, either pounded out, or cut out. I also had to open up the hole for the gear shift. It was close, but as I remember it sits slightly farther to the rear. No change in propshaft length, just the different yoke.

So pleasing to see that my article on fitting the 5 speed T9 to a Kent engine is still being used. Since writing the article in the 1980s availability of parts and prices has changed a lot, and now small engineering companies do help by modifying parts or provide replacement solutions which are often better than was available in the mid '80s. As mentioned in the original article, it laid out the method I used, but there will be other methods or adaptations to successfully fit the T9.

The T9 I fitted to my 4/4 is still going strong and was clearly the best mod I made to my Morgan; the box is now approaching 90,000 mls - the car is 140,000 mls. and still in regular use.

Out of interest, I noted the comment about the gearbox being wider. I subsequently accommodated this extra width (side bulge) by expanding the original cut-out in the tunnel and covering with a suitably sized circular baking tray from the local shop. The flange allowed me to use several self tapping screws to hold it in place and the now larger aperture makes it easier to top up the oil.

I hope the article continues to provide assistance to owners wishing to fit the T9 5 speed box.

The article is (I think) still available on GoMog, or if needed a copy can be provided.