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MG MGB Technical - Lock Washer question

The crank pully washer, Moss # 460-470, has a slot that appears to be for a key to fit into. It is my understanding that the washer is bent to hold the bolt in place. I don't see a key protruding to fit the slot. Should there be one? Thanks, Tom
Tom

Tom - " I don't see a key protruding to fit the slot. Should there be one?"

Isn't that neat? I discovered that the last time I rebuilt an engine for the MGB - that locking washer is just there to give us a warm fuzzy feeling, but it actually accomplishes nothing - a dab of lock tite woud probably be in order. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

Gents,

You knock one side back into the round hole, and fold the other side forward to lock the bolt.

David
D Balkwill

Tom

You do have the woodruff key/s in position in the crank shaft don't you?

My Moss catalogue shows there to be two but I seem to recall on my 18GG there was only one, somewhat longer than either of the two Moss showes.

Regards
Roger
Roger T

If you look at the pulley you will see a moon shaped depression on the side away from the key slot - the washer should be folded into this depression and over one flat of the bolt on the opposite side.

There should be no key or slot in the central hole of the washer.

All MGB cranks have two keys on the nose - some are larger than others.
Chris at Octarine Services

Chris - "There should be no key or slot in the central hole of the washer"

The washers that I have purchased over here do have a keyway slot in them, which tends to be confusing. I have never seen any instructions to fold the washer into the depression in the face of the pulley, but for the first time, someone (you and Daivd) have made a statement that makes sense as to how that locking washer is supposed to work. For all of us confused colonials, thank you. Cheers - Dave
David DuBois

My guess it that they are selling you a washer from another application! The ones I buy are also dished to make the folding over the bolt easier.

Not a very clear pic but here is one in place on one of my engines -

http://www.octarine-services.co.uk/113-1341_IMG.JPG

Chris at Octarine Services

Chris,

You are correct of course. I had overlooked the fact I removed only the pully, timing cover and oil thrower when seeing my 18GG. The crank chain gear was not disturbed. Two keys it is.

The attached picture is of the washer I replaced at that time (taken from the side facing the pully). It shows clear signs of having been reused at least once, so I presume it had been in place for some years. The replacement I received at the time (five to six years ago) was dished as you describe. Also evident in the photo is the impression where the washer material had been pressed by the nut into the face of the keyway on the inner diameter of the pully. The notch in the inner circumference of the washer is clearly inside the diameter needed to align with the pully keyway.

I wonder if the one pictured resembles the one Tom has received. Tom?

A diagram in my Leyland manual titled "The Engine Internal Components" clearly shows a smooth internal circumference for the crank washer but shows something impressed into the internal circumference of the washer for the camshaft gear nut. It is not clear if it is a cutout like the one below or a 'tongue', but is is aligned with the key channel in the cam gear and with the key slot in the cam itself.

I wonder, is it possible we have been supplied at different times with the cam washer for the crank application, either because of supply issues or ignorance?

In any event, properly installed as you describe I'd expect either could do the job.

Regards
Roger

Roger T

The camshaft washer has a tongue that fits in the keyway but the central hole is fractionally smaller.

Either will do the job - as will a drop of Locktite on the clean threads!
Chris at Octarine Services

Thanks Chris.
Roger T

Hey you guys, thanks for all of the advice and knoledge. I have been away from the garage but will check things out tomorrow. Glad that I asked the provebial "dumb" queston. Regards, Tom
Tom in still C-C-cold upstate NY

This thread was discussed between 31/01/2009 and 06/02/2009

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