Greetings All
Apologies if this subject has been discussed previously (as I'm a recent new member)
I have a '57 ES2, it is fitted with a 'laydown' Norton g/box, I've noticed on spec sheets that mid '56 on the AMC type box was fitted, as spares for the laydown are scarcer are there any advantages of (one day) sourcing an AMC type box? Advantages/disadvantages. Thanks in anticipation.
Regards Brian W
Laydown Vs AMC Laydown Adv…
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Hi Les, don't know if the…
Hi Les, don't know if they still have them but, RGM supplied me with a kickstart oil seal (for a '54 laydown) two years ago.
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Hi Les & NOC tech guru…
Hi Les & NOC tech guru's
Thanks for your thoughts on Laydown v AMC;
Since I asked the question I have had the primary chaincase off (to try to seal it better) and noticed that the clutch seems to be of a later (amc) type, in that the clutch cover has a centre adjustment screw/locknut, which the laydown type clutch did not and there is only 4 friction discs & 5 plain steel, whereas the earlier had 5 friction?
Is this the later AMC spec clutch? or just a variant; could you have an earlier gearbox design with a latest spec clutch?
Many thanks all for any help with this 'newbie' 
Regards Brian
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Laydown Vs AMC
Laydown Advantages:
1) Better lighter clutch lift operation ...Spiral vs Lever.
2) Looks far prettier and is genuine Norton.
Laydown disadvantages:
Has no modern oil seals uses "pen steel" discs on main bearings
Impossible (it seems) to buy the kickstart oil seal.
Spares (IF needed on certain parts) are more difficult to source and more expensive.
Apart from the above they are pretty similar as far as operation & strength goes but assembly is just a touch more difficult with the Norton as it has an internal thrust washer/bearing that has to be checked but simple enough. Note they don't leak that much (hardly at all) despite the old fashion oil seals.
Les