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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - timing chain cover oil leak

After a year and 6 months I have restored a 61 frogeye. However after 50 miles I have a oil leak from the seal on the timing cover. The newly rebuilt 948 cc had been sitting in car for 30 years and never been fired up. maybe it has a cork oil seal???
My question is:
Is it possible to raise the front of engine about 5" to remove the pulley after dropping the exhaust, bolts on engine mounts, bolt out of tranny????
This is somewhat covered in archives of June 2011.
note: it has a straight crossmember. thanks, GT Coffey
GT coffey

Great... Another rebel, an idividuist, a person that wants to be differant then the rest of us.... Id love to play forward for the chicago bulls but at 5'9" 175, and almost 50, im certian that will never happen, ive accepted it... Besides even if you did make it stop leaking at the timming chain cover it will only leak else where

To answer your question... Yes you have to lift the front of the engine up and pull the rad ... I use a floor jack with a block of wood, but others use an engine hoist
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Once the timing cover is out check it for straightness, often people over tighten them and distort the metal around the bolt holes.

Straighten it or buy a new one, reassemble carefully using an accurate torque wrench and you should be ok.

Good luck!
Growler

Sorry....i meant my rebel comment as a joke, because you wanted an oil leak free car....a rarity

But to add... Also check the front engine plate, a little warpage can make you sucidal

Mine was warped and it took for ever to find it....but once i did , a new plate made a big differance.... Warpage is also a result of over tightening the timing chain cover....not sure how bt thats what im told
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Thanks mates, never thought about the warpage of the plate.
I have always wanted to dive out of a helium balloon at 120 thousand feet, but at 75 years of age the timing chain cover will be challenging enough this winter...GT
GT coffey

That was the coolest thing ever... I posted a thread for it called felix bumgarnder... Your the man

I have a brother in aniger NC....

good luck on that timing chain cover... I wish i could say it will be simple, ... Just a note, harbor freight sells an electric impact driver, for around $40 ...without a doulbt the easist way to remove the crankshaft bolt... Otherwise its a huge fight....there is a locking tab that is bent onto the head of the crankshaft bolt head

Its a straight forward job, but its just alot of BS hassle

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Put the cover on with its new crank seal (right way around !) Leave bolts slack at first. Then with the plugs out, turn the engine over a few times. This will align the cover seal to the crank. Then tighten the bolts. If you don't do this the lip on the seal wears quickly.
Guy W

Hi, had similar problems here.
Found repro. seals were not as tight as originals, i.e. do not buy a cheap one. Aligning the timing cover with the crank is critical.
When the cover is off, check the two drain holes under the crank are clear. If not the case quickly fills up with oil.
When lifting the engine to clear the crossrail, do not rest the weight on the sump as it distorts the gasket and leaks, use a hoist, you no not need to release the gearbox. Do not use too much sealant on the gasket as beads get lodged in the drain holes.
Also check your breather on the cover is clean & clear.
Apart from that, easy!

Regards Tony
Tony G

"often people over tighten them and distort the metal around the bolt holes."

What? You mean they don't have to be torqued to 140lbs? ;-)
Lawrence Slater

Lawerance

Are you kidding... ONLY a 140 ft lbs, i wouldnt go any less the 200, tighter the better....hahaha
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Following this thread with interest. I will be replacing the timing cover with one with a cannister, following on from my breather thread.
Pete Ottewell

My BMC parts chap just found me a new old stock timing cover and front engine plate. I'm going to change them on the Mini just for the hell of it.

Shouldn't be too hard since the engine's on the stand again. ;-)
Growler

This thread was discussed between 15/10/2012 and 20/10/2012

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