I have a 1959 Mark 1 with a Moss box, MOD. I'm reading an old article from the British motoring press reviewing this car "back in the day" wherein the author says that 1st gear can be skipped and its OK to just take off from stop in 2cd gear. I'd LOVE to start doing that as my first gear emits such an obnoxious whine plus I really shift to second at 10 mph anyway. What do others do ? and am I at risk of prematurely wearing out the clutch ?
Thanks for your thoughts !
Schmitty

 

if you're really shifting at 10mph anyway, i can't see how it would hurt. ...coincidentally, i just had my '67 (full synchro) MK2 out today and had cause to start out from second on a number of occasions, it was not all that bad. although there will be those that warn of excessive clutch wear, no doubt.

BTW, i have a '53 MG and i always start out in 2nd gear. first is way too low, IMO, for normal use.

 

So long as you're not on an uphill slope and you don't slip the clutch too much, starting in second is not a problem. The owner's handbook says it's OK. For myself, I never (or rarely) did it, apart from on downhill grades, though I'd usually change up sooner than you, more like walking pace. The first gear howl is normal and a characteristic of straight cut teeth. If it's any consolation, they should be more efficient and capable of transmitting greater torque.

I think I'd resolved (or figured out how to resolve) a lot of the shortcomings, mainly the second to third shift, of the Moss box in my car. But, when I came across a close ratio, all synch box complete with long tail overdrive at a very favourable price, it seemed foolish not to upgrade. 😊

 

I drove Jag MK7s with Moss boxes for 15 years and only used first gear on steep slopes and tight manoeuvrings.
I do the same in my current manual MK1. My MK2 has the later all synchro OD box.
Most English car manufacturers in that period seemed to have the propensity for an extremely low first gear.
Huey mentions it in an MG and I experienced that in an MG TD and an Austin A40 both from the 1950s.

 

standard TD had a 5.125 differential !!. before a recent journey i swapped in a 4.55 AND installed some new tires with taller sidewalls..but she'll stand no more tweaking with her 54 HP. !

the MK2 remains as i bought it and works well.

 

I have a 1960 MK2 that was originally a 2.4L with a 4.55 rear axle and the moss box with OD. A previous owner had replace the 2.4 with a 3.8l with 9:1 compression head. Needless to say it would win a few stops light races. Until I learned how to find the gears, especially 1st (since replaced all the bushings), I numerous times started out in 3rd thinking I was in 1st at a red light because 1st was so hard to find. Actually with the 3.8 and the 4.55 ratio I probably could have started in 4th!!

The 4.55 is gone replaced with the proper 3.77 power-loc set-up. With the new shift bushing and with practice and the help of this forum, I started the trick of nicking 2nd, then 1st.

One final comment, I actually like the wine in 1st gear, reminds me of an old early 50s GMC panel truck my dad had with the creeper gear.

In time the Moss will probably go, thinking 5speed, but at my age the Moss will probably out live me.......

jjsandsms

 

You can safely pull away in 2nd unless on a steep hill. The Moss first gear is an extremely low ratio. Then you don't have to listen to that awful whine. Caveat is that no one has messed with the axle ratio.

 

So, where are these shifter bushings located and how difficult are they to get at ? Usual vendors stock these and they are not expensive - but how to replace 'em ? ( Not that I'm looking for more things to do on this particular car !)
Schmitty

 

https://www.sngbarratt.com/English/#.../assembly/2253

Have to remove center console, the left and right vertical panels on each side of radio plate. Then the carpet insulation etc is removed to get the access panel. Not a bad job just a pain in the #%^%6. here are a couple of pics when I did mine.








jjsandsms

 

Thanks so much ! this will wait for a raining day...
Schmitty

 

The Mk1 can be made into a beautiful car, racing wires & all.