MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MG Y Type - Safety wire.

I'm just buttoning up after an engine-out replacement of oil pump and camshaft (update soon on original post). The camshaft bearing locators (dowel bolts) are drilled for safety wire; what have experienced restorers done in this "single bolt" location - any photo would be appreciated. Thanks always.
John.
J P Hall

I saftey wired that bolt to the rear generator mount.
CR Tyrell

John--You'll shudder at how the factory did it originally
Front was around the generator bracket-ok
rear was around the oil pipe--?

I'd drill gallery plug directly below the centre bolt and tie them together---or a gen bracket bolt
For the rear do a loop around the oil pipe banjo up against the block and up through the cam bolt

or loctite

no spring washers though as the dick on the bolt won't be long enough to do it's job holding the bearings

OR LaVerne's method-next pic




William Revit

LaVerne's pic

William Revit

Great info thanks Willy - I'd thought of drilling the generator bracket bolt, so have done so today; will practise my safety wiring tomorrow.
The rearmost cam dowel is a funny one - I agree the original method was a bit dodgy so I prefer to go down around the banjo bolt.
Been waiting nearly 2 weeks for (rear of camshaft) core plug from bloody Sydney (previous discussion), so have enjoyed turning a neg into a pos by tidying up water jacket, painting over a few scars, and finalising door hanging adjustments. Very satisfying!
John.
J P Hall

Well then ... I just checked a recently acquired spare XPAG/TR engine that appears to be very original. And lo and behold the lockwire for the cam bearing retaining bolts are just as in Willy's pictures!

I think that loctite is the modern solution. The bolts will not fall out if correctly applied and tightened.

Lockwire can then be installed for looks if originality is a must.

Regards, Ewan
E.J. Ward

Good point thanks Ewan. I plan to Loctite anyway, plus safety wire (a) to practise the art, and (b) 'cause I reckon it looks appropriate, given that it was done originally.
John.
J P Hall

In over 50 years of playing with XPAGs, I have never wired them. I always do as Willy suggested and use Loctite to stop any oil seepage more than to prevent them from shaking loose. I have always thought that the wire in this situation was just a factory way of saying saying, "Don't mess with these unless you know what you are doing", rather than a method of preventing them from shaking loose. A bit like the wire on the early dizzy bolts.
Bob
Bob Schapel

This thread was discussed between 06/08/2022 and 18/08/2022

MG MG Y Type index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MG Y Type BBS now