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MG MGA - Rear Core Plug

The rear core plug on my 1600 Mk2 is weeping.

Is it possible to replace the plug without pulling the engine?

Advice would be appreciated.

John
John Follett

Yes it is possible. See
http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/cooling/cool_105d.htm
Barney's Cooling section has about 5 items on dealing with the rear plug including the use of the Betson bolt.
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

When you replace core plugs, use red Loctite to hold the plug in place better. You can get it in paste form which works better on a vertical service than the liquid.

Jim
JL Cheatham

When accessing Barney's site start at page 105 (see below) and then progress to 105A and through to 105E

http://www.mgaguru.com/mgtech/cooling/cool_105.htm

Mick
M F Anderson

No doubt in my mind. Despite the good info already posted I would pull the engine. Always an excuse for a good external nose around the engine and an engine bay tidy/clean up. Perhaps a new clutch plate and thrust bearing while I'm at it. For me it's a leisurely two day job. For someone like Dominic it's an afternoon.

Just need to find the time which ever option I chose. Taken me 2 years to get the car up on its hoist to do an oil change!

Steve
Steve Gyles

Steve

I had a car in for an engine change a couple of weeks ago. Engine out time was 53 minutes from starting to having it on the floor, but then it was clear that the gearbox was also leaking everywhere, so that came out too. Gearbox sorted, replacement engine and clutch & gearbox installed, all back up and running ten hours after starting, with lunch and coffee / comfort breaks all included.

I slept well after that!

But Chris Betson was through here a few weeks ago and says it took him and Peter Burgess less than 90 minutes to do a double engine in and out on a B (rear seal was leaking so they had to repeal and replace the seal.

I counter that on a B there's a lot more room and that you can leave almost everything attached to the engine, whereas on an A it all has to come off.

Dominic Clancy

It takes me a couple of months for engine overhaul - I enjoy doing a bit every day - every day is Saturday for us retired folk!
Mike
Mike Ellsmore

Hi all

Has anyone any ideas where I can source a Betson bolt?

John
John Follett

I wanted one a few years back and found that you could only buy them in boxes of 5 from USA - so I bought 5 and sold the spare 4 to fellow club members. I still haven't used mine but it sits in my box of spares in the boot.
Cam Cunningham

Hi Cam

Can the Betson be used as a permanent replacement or is it temporary only?
John Follett

I think that pulling the engine and replacing properly with a new plug really is the best solution.

BUT, when it was just inconvenient and would have been a pain in the rear for me to do that I did use the Dorman 568-010. The original plug had completely fallen out ( I hadn't fitted it ) so there was no need to hack anything out. Fitting was not a simple job. The two hexagons for spanners ( one to hold still, one to turn ) are not precisely formed and it's tricky to hold the spanners on while holding the plug firm in the hole. Pieces of wood wedged against the bulkhead if I remember correctly. So it would not be a quick get-you-going roadside fix.

It has survived for nearly 6500 miles, and I carry one as a spare. But if the engine ever has to come out the plug will get replaced properly.

I did find them in the UK a couple of years ago at £30 for 5; but anything in my notes suggests an on-line seller with a dubious reputation so I have no suggestion.

Good luck,
Jim
J N Gibson

I think the Betson bolt can only be used if you have an MGB back plate.

Jim
JL Cheatham

Thank guys for all your advice.

John
John Follett

It is possible to replace the plug without removing the engine, but having done it (once) I would confirm that to is much easier and considerably less complicated to take the engine out.

The "Betson bolt" can only be used if you have a 5 bearing engine with the high backplate

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/cooling/cool_105b.htm
Dominic Clancy

This thread was discussed between 05/06/2017 and 18/06/2017

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