MG Car Repair: MGTD Gearbox

Question

MGTD gearbox   I am rebuilding my MGTD transmission-on assembling it I notice that the selector shaft that the reverse gear selector fork slides on is open to the rear of the gearbox case. It it hollow with a threaded end for a possible plug (the factory schematic shows a plug listed). But my gearbox has no plug, and I don't think the shaft has an oil passageway that goes anywhere. See picture attached. Can I leave this shaft open w/o a plug or must I make one up?

Answer
Hi Ken.

The shaft does require a plug, so you will have to make one.  The original plug was just a grub screw with a slot for a screwdriver.  Please note that the thread is fine metric 8x1 mm, as are all the studs, nuts and bolts on this gearbox.  Even the gear knob has the same pre-war French metric thread.