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MG MGA - Crank dog nut - locking washer

Hey folks!

Speaking of Moss and the problems with some remanufactured parts, I've run into a problem on my engine rebuild, someone out there may be able to assist me on. The washer kit I ordered from Moss came with a "lock washer", that goes behind the (crank dog) nut. This locking washer is absent the tab on the inner portion of the washer. The one provided in the kit is simply a cupped washer that has no method of inter-locking to the pully. So, to bend the washers outside edges over the dog nut flats would do nothing to prevent the nut from backing out over time. I've called the few sources I know of in an effort to find a true "locking" washer but I have been unable to find one. Has anyone tried the cupped washer or know who stocks a true locking washer with the appropriate tab that secures the washer to the pully? Thanks!
robert maupin

You can use the Moss supplied lock tab for dog nut and have positive locking. See here: http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/engine/cs104.htm
Barney Gaylord

Thanks once again Barney! I'm not a fan of Jerry-Rigging but your solution seem benign enough. I appreciate you keeping tabs on the various threads and helping us work through our problems! Cheers!
robert maupin

This is not a case of solution to a problem this is how it was designed!
I am curious to know where you found the information to suggest the original had a tab Barney? If that was the case why would the pulley boss need a machined indent?
Bob (robert) I used to own a Morris Oxford

"keeping tabs" on the various threads? HA!

Sorry, I'm a big fan of word puns.
Mark

The illustration in my copy of the factory Service Parts List shows it with a round hule, no key.

I have word from a friend in Australia who has a MGA 1500 Service Parts List is on CD, supposedly a scan of the original factory parts list His copy apparently shows an inside key tab. Go figure.
Barney Gaylord

I don't know what's "original" or not. The engine on my coupe certainly didn't appear to ever have had any work performed on it. However, the lock washer that I removed did have a "tab" that fit down into the woodruff key slot in the crank pulley which kept it from spinning and that design made perfect sense to me. If not original, I wonder where someone found such a locking washer that just happened to fit this application so perfectly. Ummmm?
robert maupin

O.K. folks,

I found a source that has a complete (NOS)original "SpaFax" locking tab kit, made in England for the MGA and guess what, it has the locking tab washer for the dog nut WITH the small tang/tab that fits into the crank pully key way slot. Of course I'm not willing to purchase the entire kit simply to acquire the locking washer but it does seem to shed some light on the question as to the correct style of locking washer.
robert maupin

Well you have almost convinced me that a tab type washer may have been standard on both A and B series engines although I am now even more curious as to why there is an indent in the pulley designed especially to suit a non tab type washer.
Bob (robert) I used to own a Morris Oxford

I need to back up one step. My friend in OZ has recanted his report of the center tab showing in the illustration on his CD (dirty scan image). Seems like the factory Service Parts lIsts for the 1500 and 1600 models both show the original lock tab washer with smooth center hole, no tab. Apparently the current Moss part is as original.

Robert M, -- Do you have a part number and source for that "SpaFax" lock tab kit? Any idea if the tabbed washer might be currently available as a separate part?
Barney Gaylord

Greetings Barney,

My source is Mike Bonaduchie (not certain if I'm spelling his last name correctly) and his telephone number is (802) 439-5815. I had a thought as to the factory illustration. Depending on the position of the lock washer shown, the tab could be near side and therefore hidden by the washer surface. The tab would have to be shown toward the back in order to be viewed. Just a thought. I wonder if Mike Ash, Technical Editor with NAMGAR, would have any information on this subject. Now I'm really curious.
robert maupin

This thread was discussed between 24/01/2006 and 27/01/2006

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