The MGA With An Attitude
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MGA Guru Is GOING MOBILE - (November 16 - November 30, 2024)
Saturday - November 16, 2024:
While waiting for paint to dry, I had time to update a Restoration tech page for Boot Floor Panels. You can now buy this one-piece restoration panel from Jon Thompson at Sports Car Specialties in Ada, Missouri.
Sunday - November 17, 2024:
Strip off the masking tape and pull wadding out of ports and tapped holes. Looks ike an engine block with nice paint, so yes, begin assembly.
We oiled the inside of the block first, just in case it might be longer than anticipated before it might be running, and keep everything clean. Three main bearing half shells with oil,then the crankshaft nicely oiled all over. Three more half shells in the min bearing caps, center cap with thrust washers, give it a spin to assure it turns freely. Then the front and rear caps with more oil, and give it another spin with fingers. Notice this MGB 18G engine has locktabs for the main cap nuts,different than earlier engines that had lock washers here.
Oil the camshaft journals and heavily grease the cam lobes before sliding the cam into the block, then test spin with fingers. Temporary fit the front plate, and scribe the rear surface at sides of the block.
Remove the front plate to remove paint from the rear side where it will mate with the paper gasket, just to assure it will have flat surfaces for a good seal (not gasket over paint). Install the front plate with paper gasket and the cork strip at bottom corner of the front main bearing cap. RTV sealant was applied, because this cork seal had small end gaps. Once it was bolted firmly in place, we trimmed the cork seal flush with a razor knife.
Take a short break to paint a new MGA water pump, as it was the net thing out of the box. Then we encountered an odd problem with a new timing chain tensioner, something I had never seen before. The traditional tensioner shown at top of next picture, with the new tensioner immediately below. The new one is three pieces only, no backing plate, no gasket, no bolts or locktab, no internal anti-back out step cam, no rear plug or locktab. Also no alignment spigot at the oil inlet port, and no drill hole to allow oil through the rubbing foot to lube the foot and chain. Additionally, the rubbing foot is made of soft plastic you can impress with a finger nail, or poke a hole in it with a screw driver. I am skeptical if this new tensioner can be functional or if it might last more than a few thousand miles before self destruct. And "Made In Taiwan" is not reassuring.
I will set this issue aside for more consideration over night. Meanwhile we did install the camshaft retaining plate and timing chain and sprockets (sans tensioner).
Monday - November 18, 2024:
I placed an order with Moss Motors this morning for a new Rulon timing chain tensioner (along with a few more parts). I have so far never been bitten by failure of this part, and I don't like the idea of installing another skeptical looking cheap replacement part with unknown service record. I also called the vendor to offer my comments on the odd new tensioner. Of course the response was that we have never heard of any problem with this part, and I'm the only person to ever report any concern with it. The rest of the conversation was not encouraging (or convincing). The new style part is supposed to be from a Datsun 1500 Roadster engine. I just don't feel like serving as Guinea Pig on this one. Been having too many other poor quality parts problems recently. -- Much of the day spent posting the photos and notes above, and there was a John Twist Zoom tech session this evening on "Setting up MGB Front Wheel Bearings".
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