Knobs to you

[ElectroSoldier]

Are there different lengths of gear stick used on the MGF and TF models?

Ive noticed on some photos of cars with none standard gear knobs the stick seems quite short.

I added a new gear nob to mine, which was fitted with a red/black leather nob as a standard fit.
But not Ive taken the only one off the new one seems to sit very high compared to those Ive seen in pictures.

The whole point of changing the knob was to make the top of the stick much lower!

[Steve White]

The Mk2 MGF and TF have a shorter gear lever then the Mk1 F.
I learnt recently that this is because the gear lever was originally balanced for the early F's leather gearknob (FYI on the bottom end on the gear lever there is a counterbalance).
The MK2 F and TF however have a heavier alloy gearknob, so to correct the balance without re-engineering another gearlever, MG simply shortened the lever length.
Its quite a common modification to shorten the lever on early cars though, which simply entails cutting an amount of the lever and re-threading the end of the lever to allow the knob to be screwed back on.

[Rob Bell]

Steve's quite right - and we did a whole load of comparisons on this for MG World a number of years ago

The only thing I would add is that a number of aftermarket gear knobs will apparently shorten the lever because they don't screw on, but rather are a slot fit, fastened with a grub screw.

[ElectroSoldier]

I dont much fancy the sound of chopping pieces off her!!!!

Is there not another way?
How much would a new gear level cost and is it easy to remove/fit?

[Rob Bell]

You could fit a Mk2 (MY2000 or TF) gear lever. To do this involves removal of the seat(s), centre console trim and then the gear lever assembly. It's not too hard, but let's face it, a lot easier to cut an inch off the top of the existing lever. The alternative is to use an after market gear knob that fits lower on the lever (the grub-screw retaining type). This will sit an inch lower than the standard plastic/leather Mk1 gearknob, and perhaps a centimeter or so lower than the MG Rover Momo leather/alloy knob.

[ElectroSoldier]

YOu have to take all that lot out just to get to the gear level?!?!?!?!?!

A suppose a hacksaw will do the trick?
exactly how much do you take off, and what die size do you need to cut the new thread?

[Rob Bell]

Trick is not to remove all the thread - I don't remember the length of the threaded section off the top of my head, but it is more than sufficient. I reckon you'll be able to knock off a good 25mm without difficulty.

And yes, a hacksaw. It takes a while, but it will go through.

[ElectroSoldier]

Yeah I see what you mean now, the gear knob I got had some plastic "cups" with it, I fitted it with it, but it wasnt right, so I took the cup off and fitted it without, now its a lot more firm (feels like its part of the stick, nont just sitting on it) and it seems a lot lower too.

25-30 sounds about right now)))))
Cheers Rob.... again

[Rich in Vancouver]

Of course if you decide to do all the work and change the stick that gives you an excuse to install a Slick-Shift gearchange.
Mind you, your quick knob dress-up then ends up costing a couple hundred and a weekend's work!

Rich

[ElectroSoldier]

Yeah right.......

leather momo sounds and looks great to me ))))))