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MG TD TF 1500 - Moss oil seal conversion

Has anybody heard of a change to the UK Moss oil seal housing which is not covered in the instructions, ie old instructions with modified housing.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

I installed the moss rear oil seal a few months ago and followed every step including one not in the instructions which is to check the rear flange with a dial indicator ( per Moss technical ) for being true. Now if you are wondering if it works and does not leak I don't know yet as I have not put oil in and started the engine. I did use a speedy sleeve just to be on the safe side. I have my fingers crossed hope it does not leak as bad as before.
^18:0:1^76:0:1^110:0:78^114:0:8

Just a quick follow up, its not a one day job. After you have the engine out, upside down, oil pan off, main and rod bearing caps off, and crank out is when the clock starts. Took most of two days. Good time to check the crank and bearings plus other engine parts.
^18:0:1^76:0:1^110:0:78^114:0:8

Dont even contemplate taking this option to resolve rear seal leaks. I went thru 3 engine removals, machining of the flywheel to obtain the required clearances, fitting a speedi sleeve and running the engine exterior to the car to prove the final fitup. Less than 1000Ks the leak was back.

While you have the engine removed there are better solutions that involve machining the block, details will appear if you search the web.

The process also involves checking that other areas that leak are resolved, particularly the cam rear welsh plug.

One day I will pull the engine, strip it and take the other option that involves sound proven engineering practice that is used in all modern vehicles.
G Evans

http://www.mg-cars.org.uk/imgytr/oilleaks.shtml
Len Fanelli

I have no problem with the oil leaking, the info is for somebody who is already doing a conversion.
My engine leaks a few drops after shutting down none while running and that is with the original seal.
The aluminium piece is fitted with no dowel pins, scraped and matched to the scroll and filed flush with the bearing cap level. This makes up for wear down in the scroll where it has rubbed on the cap as the bearing has worn. I also put a THIN smear of sealant on the aluminium. The aluminium piece must be absolutely flat and not overtightened as it WILL warp.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

I meant put sealant on the face that butts up to the bearing cap.
Ray
Ray Lee

There have been a couple changes over the years. The most recent I know of was changing from countersunk screw heads to button heads. If you install the Moss seal correctly, there will be no leaks. Every complaint I've seen about it leaking was due to a problem elsewhere. Tolerances, centering, machining issues, etc. The kit requires a lot of things to line up just right in order to work.
Steve Simmons

I have attached a diagram of an area where rear crank leaks can come from. It is from the instructions which I included when I used to make seal kits (1987-2000). If the joint between block and cap is not sealed where the shading is on the diagram, oil can leak to the outside world. (See red arrows.) Another problem could be that the return oil drain hole could be too small. My kit stipulated 3/8" (10mm). What size hole is suggested in the Moss instructions?

I would not be surprised if Moss gleaned the basic idea from my kit as I sent a couple to USA in about 1988 and then read about the new Moss kit in a car magazine a year or so later. Mine was slightly different. The seal ran directly on the crank flange which had to be machined down (apart from flywheel location bit) to remove any chamfer, vice marks, punch marks etc. So there was no need to use speedy sleeves and the diameter was slightly smaller. Smaller diameter meant virtually no pool of oil (above seal-bottom level) to weep out overnight. For my kit the rear cap also had to have its rear face trued up, drilled and tapped.

Important factors in making my kit work well were to follow the instructions when fitting and take great care. I am sure that applies to the Moss kit too.

Bob Schapel

R L Schapel

Anyone that has fitted the Moss Kit prepared to sell me their redundant rear upper main Oil Thrower (Moss 433-410).

Thanks Graeme
G Evans

This thread was discussed between 19/12/2015 and 22/12/2015

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