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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Bob (England) or Mark nmc

Guys, have you worked on MGTD motors? I have started rebuilding one for a friend. Everything is perfectly clean, and new parts as required are on hand. I have measured the new mains with plastigage. Everything ok so the crank is fitted. Getting the split pin holes lined up was a bit of an ar*e, but plenty of swapping of nuts got me there in the end. I have refit the cam and bearings, and timed it by means of painting the new chain links at 13 and 15 as per book. The tensioner is fitted and wired. I have plastigaged the big ends, and gapped the rings. On coming to fit the pistons, I have found that the rod is bigger than the bore! Do I have to strip all I have done, and use a piston ring clamp from below, or is there another way? Yes I know, I am a clot!
Shawn

Shawn,

In short yes.

You have the crank sorted, so take it all out. Try each rod on the crank and ensure its OK. If so start again with the pistons/rods crank and then the usual order

Best of luck
Dont ask how I know these things!!!

Mike
M J Pearson

I have plastigaged the big ends, and they are all ok (the crank has been reground, and the new bearings are from Moss).
I've been told by the TD guys forum that i may be able to drop the pistons and rods down the bores past the crank with the engine upside down, without rings, and then pass them out of the top of the block, and refit the rings. Worth a try. The timing is nothing, it is lining up those pesky split ring holes in the main bearing cap nuts.
Shawn

Sorry Shawn I have no experience at all with either the X PAG nor the X PEG engines fitted to the T Type midgets
I know a few people who have if you get desperate could ring a few in the next few days. hopefully Mark is better equipped
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

Shawn
The easiest way is to fit the piston and rod assy without rings through the bore and poke the piston out the top fit the rings and then push the piston back in, then refit the crank. As far as getting the piston past an already fitted up crank I don't know but if it is sitting there in front of you maybe you could tell us if it can happen that way or not. Willy
WilliamRevit

It would certainly make changes big ends with the engine in interesting.
Shawn

Shawn.

Just got back after a weekend away...

Yep, as mentioned above, you must fit the pistons from the bottom NOT the top as we now do with all modern engines.

Sorry....

Mark.
M T Boldry

Done - it took an hour to re-do everything. Mark - you don't have a spare Riley 1100 block do you?
Shawn

ADO 16 type? I don't have one, but I think I DO know of one that could be bought at the right price....

Mark.
M T Boldry

Mark, it is out of a type 9 with 2 mains and a distributor (not magneto).
Shawn

This thread was discussed between 13/03/2009 and 17/03/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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