Late 1275 midgets used a different shift lever with a rubber isolator.
Yours just died. A shift lever from an earlier transmission will work just
fine.
David Riker
74 Midget
63 Falcon
70 Torino
http://home.pacbell.net/davriker
----- Original Message -----
From "SueCallaham" <wadleigh at syix.com>
To: "MGs" <mgs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, December 19, 2000 8:57 PM
Subject: Shift problem solved!
> Hi All!
>
> First, thanks to all of you who have offered me advice on my shifting
> problem. And second,
> NONE of us were right about the cause/solution !! Refer to "The Lucas
> Theorum".
>
> Today I got off work, warmed up the car and began to leave. Put the
> shifter into reverse and it felt REALLY bad ..... like someone had put a
> rubber bumper at the end of the shifting range and wouldn't let the
> shifter all the way into gear ... felt really mushy. Took it out and
> then put it back into reverse again .. same feeling. Backed the car out
> anyway without a problem, put it into first and drove off. Jumped out
> of first after about ten feet! YUCK. Second, third felt okay, fourth
> had the same mushy rubbery feeling reverse had. I was sweating by then
> ... would it get me home?
>
> Two blocks away, stop sign. Into first, turn the corner, pop out of
> first again. Oh no. Still second and third feel okay, fourth mushy.
> Four blocks, left turn, downshift, no prob! Another five blocks, stop
> light, first gear. Popped out of first before I had crossed the
> intersection. (Luckily this is a very small town.) Still 12 miles from
> home. Into second, third and fourth, which all of a sudden doesn't feel
> quite as mushy as it had so far. Anyone have an idea what's coming???
> Five miles later, still in fourth, slowed to make a left turn, began to
> downshift into third for the turn. Speed change bar (shift handle) fell
> off in my hand, still inside the gaiter, but not connected to anything.
> Never got it out of fourth! Since I was in fourth, kept going, but
> worked on getting the gaiter off while going (country road by now). Low
> and behold, once the gaiter was free .... a shift knob attached to a
> curved steel rod, attached to the air around it!!
>
> Got into the town I live in, downshifted quite easily using what was
> left of the lever ... had a
> complete range from fourth to neutral to third of about 1/2 inch!! But
> it shifted like a brand new unit would! Now all I have to do is replace
> the shifter bar itself and it's all good to go! Anyone ever heard of
> the piece coming apart like that? From all the books I've looked at,
> it's supposed to be a one piece unit (except for the knob itself).
> Looking through Moss' catalog, the piece I have isn't even the one for
> the 1275, but is the one for the 1500. Apparently some prior owner had
> no clue what he/she was doing!
>
> So, once again The Lucas Theorum is proven correct.
>
> Thanks again for the advice.
>
> Sue
> '74 Midget
> '65 Midget
> '65 MG-1100
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