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MG MG Y Type - Oil gallery plugs.

Folks, I've gone and confused myself as to the different lengths and functions of the various plugs on the oil pump side of the YA block. There are 5 short stubby plugs along the oil gallery : 2 at the left-hand end of the picture, 2 in the middle and 1 at the right-hand end. Above the plug on the r/h end, is the banjo union for the pipe to oil pump (which in the picture is wrongly attached, just so I don't lose it). What I'm not clear on is what plugs should be located immediately above the plugs on the oilway - there seems to be 1 longer plug above the rhs banjo union, and another longer plug above the central oilway plug.
Could anyone direct me to a clear picture showing what plug goes where, or otherwise clear up my uncertainty? I don't want to finalise locations of plugs until I know that each one is in the right place! By the way, I favour unpainted fixings, and will rectify this when tidying up the oil gallery plugs! Thanks for any advice. John.

J.P. Hall

... sorry, that's "... banjo union for the pipe to oil filter...", not oil pump.
J.P. Hall

Hi John, The two "plugs" you have arrowed in your image are the dowel bolts which locate the centre and rear cam bearings. They are long and have dowel tips which engage in holes in the bearings. (The front cam bearing is a different type and doesn't need one.) The upper plug/hole which is peeking through between the two brass ends of your temporarily fitted oil pipe is for the thin oil pipe to the cylinder head about 12 inches directly above. Your temporarily fitted oil filter pipe is connected to the correct spot.
oTCagonally, Bob Schapel
R L Schapel

Thanks for that, Bob - I noticed the dowel tips, but didn't twig to their function. So ... if while those dowelled bolts were out yesterday,I turned the crank pulley a fraction, have I moved a hole into which the dowels locate?? Or do they locate into a bearer which remains stationary. Just frettin' now! John.
J.P. Hall

Bearings are unlikely to turn in that situation. If the spigot bolts screw easily all the way in, then you should not have a problem. But you can do other checks.
Look into the hole with a pencil torch. If you see the hole in the bearing "offset" (not concentric) with the threaded hole then the bearing has turned a little. You might be able to lever/jiggle it back with a pin punch while turning the engine the necessary way. Also check with a depth gauge (or piece of wire). The total depth of the threaded hole plus the hole in the bearing should be just a millimetre or two more than the length of the spigot bolt (i.e. thread plus spigot). If it is several millimetres SHALLOWER, the bearing spigot hole must have turned out of sight. Highly unlikely but if the depth of the hole is much (about 6 millimetres) DEEPER than the length of the bolt then the bearing has turned exactly enough to align the oil supply hole where the spigot hole should be .... or the engine was wrongly assembled. I did once find this situation in an engine I dissembled! In this situation you would see the shiny camshaft journal at the end of the hole.

Good luck! oTCagonally, Bob Schapel
R L Schapel

It's enough to make a grown man go out to the (detached) shed in his pyjamas to check on the situation! Bob, that was great help, thank you - the holes are indeed about 1 and a half mm deeper than the length of the bolt;it would appear that I have not moved anything, so will send the bolts home tomorrow (in proper clothes) and give thanks.Your experience has saved me some lost sleep. Regards, John.
J.P. Hall

Lovely conversation guys and the mental picture there John of you going out in the night in slippers and a night shirt and cap with a little candle defy description. Here is one you can color in!

Paul Barrow

Haha, you're right Paul - lucky we have no near neighbours. Not a pretty sight. But seriously,for the keen amateur like me, this BBS is such an invaluable resource - to be able to lodge a question on a narrow technical point,receive advice same day or overnight from overseas, and avoid making costly mistakes or to confirm that all is well ... just priceless.Thanks for your support.
PS - only with the help of a visiting son, was I able to post an image complete with arrows! I hope to build on that experience until I can do it all by myself.Regards, John.
J.P. Hall

This thread was discussed between 09/08/2014 and 10/08/2014

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