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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 MGA - Engine Rebuild

Who would be the best supplier for engine rebuild parts? Is there any difference in quality between Moss, Scarboro Faire or any of the others?

Also, if you are in Ontario, does anyone know where I can rent an engine hoist on wheels?

Thank you.

roy.

R. Maher

Shop around - you can buy an engine hoist for about $130 US, and sell it when you're done. You'll be money ahead and you won't have to rush to pull/install it.
Jeff Schlemmer

Moss has just about everything, but I have found that quality can be a problem. Don't be afraid to send poor quality parts back and try another source. Scarboro seems to be a smaller operation, and can keep a better eye on quality. I have had mostly good luck with them.
Ed Bell

Hi Roy. Many rental outlets rent engine hoists, but rental is often around 20.00 per hour or more. Princess Auto sells a very nice collapsible hoist with wheels on sale for about $200.00 Canadian. If you have the storage space, it might be cheaper to buy an engine hoist. Rent it out a few times and it will pay for itself! As for quality of engine parts, it seems that quality from most suppliers appears to be quite variable. I have had quite several issues with Moss Motors parts, fewer issues with Obsolete Automototive out of Windsor Ontario, Fewer still with Victoria British out of Lenexa Kansas, but cant comment on Scarborough Faire, since I have not dealt with them. Best of luck. Glenn
Glenn

I'd be very wary of buying parts from a supplier and then presumably giving them to a machine shop. Far better entrust a good machine shop to do all the work and provide the parts, that way they are responsible for the whole thing if the job does not live up to expectations. They will also supply the gasket sets which of course you may not wish if they are not Payen for example.
Iain MacKintosh

My wheeled engine hoist has been one of the best investments I have made in garage equipment. It's paid for itself at least twice over on saved rental charges. Further more, I have also loaned it out to fellow enthusiasts for bottles of wine!

It has also had other uses. I have lifted garden paving flags and even raised one end of the garden shed to get new foundation timbers in place.

Buy, buy, buy if you have the space.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Our local car club has a tool lending program where the club progures and lends such tools which may be moderately expensive and used rarely by an individual. If I need it I can borrow the engine hoist from the club, as well as an engien stand, MIG welder, plasma cutter, and several other tools I might not want to buy for occasional use.
Barney Gaylord

Thank you all for your input. I think it makes sense to buy one, specially at $200 cdn, that's a steal!

As for the parts, the machine shop will check it out then let me know what to order... is this not usual?

Roy.
R. Maher

I suppose it depends on the machine shop. They would obviously have to check cyls and crank to determine o/s of pistons and undersize of crank and then advise you so that you could acquire proper parts. When they received pistons they would then measure exact diameter and bore to match. Normally in the UK the shop would obtain the parts and machine accordingly but sometimes they may realise that we might be better placed to obtain parts for our older vehicles. My local engine reconditioner lost one of my exhaust valves when fitting hard inserts. He gave up trying to get a replacement which I got within 24 hours.
Iain MacKintosh

Roy, it's not unusual for a shop to tell you what you need and have you provide the parts. Any competent machine shop can do the machining, but many don't want to spend the time trying to source parts that their local suppliers don't carry.
John H

You might like to check with Kent Prather at Prather Racing about what parts he recommends. He has been racing a MGA in SCCA for years (6 time national champ in G Production) and knows what works and lives in that engine. http://www.networksplus.net/kprather/
He has had problems with soft lifters and other parts in the past, so is well versed in where to buy the best quality spares.
Bill Young

Thank you all.

I'm actually going to be installing a supercharger so I wanted to rebuild the engine to ensure everything is just right. It had been running a little hot and when it idles it was burning a little oil so time for a refresh.

I will be keeping it stock with the exception of hardened seat's and guides for lead free and I will have the head polished and ported. The flywheel will also be lightened.

I want to do the best job but at the same time I don;t want to replace parts that are fine. It's a balancing act I guess.

R. Maher

If your going to run a supercharger, keep your compression ratio on the low side, definately do not increase the compression over stock.
John H

Agreed, I am not planning to increas the comp ratio. For my use I will get everything I need from the blower.
R. Maher

Roy; here are some things to consider;
Before investing money in your old cyl head, consider a new MGB aluminum head. you get larger valves, broze guide, harden seats and most important bettr heat transfer. The cast iron heads aree prone to cracking between 2-3 cyl. Eyebrows will need to be cut in the top of the block to miss the valves, not a big deal. Save weight in the valve train by using MGB 18 v series lifters and pushrods. the lower weight means less stress on the cam and lifers and higher rpm before valve float. Have crank magnifluxed. Have piston rods and crank assembly balanced. Use a MGB timing case with a real lip seal. Have fun. Bill
w.g cook

Thanks for the suggestions Bill. I have been giving the upgrades you suggest serious thought, I do have to be mindful of the expense though as I have blown (pun intended) mega bucks on the supercharger! I don;t think I need much of a push though.
One thing though, aren't the MGB 18v series lifters and pushrods shorter than standard, if so what does this mean, how do you get around that?

Roy.
R. Maher

The shorter 18V tappets are paired with the longer 18V pushrods. and it's a drop-in.
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed between 03/02/2006 and 09/02/2006

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.