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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 TD TF 1500 - Timing Chain Tensioner

Changed my mind and decided to install a new timing chain while I had the cover off to install the new crank seal. Decided against the expensive Moss chain and bought a standard one from Abingdon Spares. Installed it yesterday after counting to 13 about a dozen times. Was very careful to avoid overtorquing the tensioner mounting screws. 6 ft-lbs max. Set my digital inch-pound wrench to 50 in-lbs for a start (limit is 72). Just felt funny tightening them up until I felt a click. That's the signal for reaching the set torque value. Moved the wrench to the other screw and started tightening. Before any click occurred the head of the screw spun free. Many tears were shed. Went to remove the first screw and it just pulled right out. Results shown in the image below. Was able to grasp the one on the left with vice-grips and unscrewed it. The other one was a real sonuvagun. Fortunately, I was able to cut a slot in it with a Dremel tool and got it out with a screwdriver. New screws are on their way from A/S. A question - the WSM, Page A.15, last paragraph, says "...Replace the chain tensioner, checking the paper gasket to make sure an oil-tight joint is achieved." What paper gasket? Has anyone ever seen such a gasket? Not in AKD 834. Bud

Bud Krueger

Yes Bud, check your AS catalog under "Gaskets". It is Item # 17 or 18 listed as a timing cover gasket.
Call AS back quick, maybe you can combine the shipment.
Jim Merz

Sorry, Jim, but that's the gasket for the cover. I wish there were one. Wouldn't dare use any sort of goo. The oil feed hole into the tensioner is only .040" in dia. Bud
Bud Krueger

I made a paper gasket out of a sheet of gasket paper.
Huib Bruijstens

Ooops, Sorry Bud. As usual, I didn't read your statement very well. I agree with you that I have never seen any such gasket. If I didn't know better, I would say this is the very first error we all have found with the words in the FSM.
Jim Merz

Bud, no gasket. I used a thin smear of Permatex aviation sealer. George
George Butz

Got a response from Lawrie Alexander:
MGAs and Bs used a paper gasket but I've never seen one under the XPAG tensioner. I just bolt it to the block - no gasket, no sealant.

Bud
Bud Krueger

Only one of my links was the lighter color and I looked very, very hard. But now it is much better.
Mort

Mort 50 TD (Mobius)

As Bud says, My 1500 had no gasket, just machine fit and no sealant, but the 72 MGB does have a super thin gasket. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Thinking about it, if no gasket was the norm, why did they install gaskets after the T series? Was there a problem of leakage developing on the earlier models? PJ
Paul S Jennings

Do I detect that this engine is getting one of Lens roller cam setups?



Paul S Jennings

Good eyeballs Paul. Yes they are installed and I hope to be finished with the assembly in about a week. More to report later.
Mort
Mort 50 TD (Mobius)

Hijack alert!!!!
Mort, did you recurve your distributer for the new cam?
-David
D. Sander

David,
Duh!!
Will get on it tomorrow.
Thanks,
Mort

Mort 50 TD (Mobius)

Mort, send it to Jeff at Advance distributers. Tell him about your oversize pistons, roller cam, electronic igniting and your supercharger. He will re-curve it to suit your new engine.
-David
D. Sander

Jeff will also need the compression ratio you have on the engine as well.
Frank Cronin

Roller cammers unite! I sure love mine!

Alex
Alex Waugh

David, do you know of anybody here in Oz who can provide the same dizzy service? I'm about to purchase a Fanelli cam so I will need to have mine recurved as well. Cheers.
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 24/02/2014 and 26/02/2014

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