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MG TD TF 1500 - cam bearings

I am in the process of rebuilding my TD motor. Alot of time has passed since the machine shop started this process. I want to make sure the cam bearings are installed correctly. On the middle bearing does the locating bolt go in the bottom of the oil gallery or the top and I assume on the rear bearing the locating bolt goes in the bottom of the oil gallery as the Banjo bolt for the oil pressure is fitted to the topside. The oil pan is already installed. How can they check to make sure the oil holes in the bearing are properly aligned to be fed ? Will locating the bearing to the locating bolt automatically align the oil feed hole. I am sure they have ways of checking but would like to know, can't afford to do this over.

Thanks,

Ben
Ben Stone

ben, page A.17 of the mg workshop manual has the answers to your questions. if the bearings are oriented correctly when they are inserted and the retaining bolt is installed with the bearing aligned properly, the oil hole will be properly located.
on the center bearing the dowel bolt fits in the upper hole.
the workshop manual also p. A.17 says, "ensure that all oilways are clear by removing the blanking screws from the crankcase and testing the oilways with compressed air."
i guess you check what you can, but if you do not trust the shop, why is the engine there? it is a little like i used to tell my fear of flying classes, "as a pilot i am paid to look at the few things you do know about in addition to all the stuff you do not know about". there is so much stuff a bad machine shop can short cut you on that you would never know about until the engine fails..tolerances, machined radius's, etc., etc.
regards, tom
tom peterson

With the pan in place there is no way I can think of to ensure the oil hole is lined up. Once the locating bolt is in, the two SHOULD be perfectly in line. However I don't recall if the bearing can be installed incorrectly so that the hole does not line up.

The bolt enters through the side of the block next to the bearing, not through the oil galley which uses plugs. Remember only the rear two bearings use these bolts, the front is a press fit. Do measure and install the front bearing carefully, as the latest bunch are not made correctly and may need trimming. County is the only company offering the bearing at this time, and Moss has been pleading with them to correct the issue.
Steve S

Ben, remove the oil galley plug, insert a small diameter rod through the hole, hold it against the cam, then rotate the engine by turning the fan, or crank pulley. you should feel the cam move the rod as the engine is turned over. The bearing can be installed backwards, in which case the oil hole would not line up with the oil supply.
Len Fanelli

Thanks for the input. It is a good shop. This is not an everyday motor for them. They just got ahead and out of sequence on assembly and I am trying not to pull the oil pan if not needed.

Ben
Ben Stone

The 2 holes in the bearing go to the front for an alignment tool.
Len Fanelli

My TD engine was assembled back in 1989 but never started. I just dissassembled it for another "proper rebuild". I found both cam bearings in wrong. The rear one was almost right but not quite. They tightened up the pointed locking bolt right next to the hole leaving a new detent, basically clamping the bearing to the end of the shaft. These guys were careless amatures though, not a legitimate machine shop. I aggree with Tom on this one. You can't second guess everything that is done. There are just too many little things in these old engines. You probably have nothing to worry about; but do ask about their guarantee.
smb brainsky

This thread was discussed between 15/01/2012 and 16/01/2012

MG TD TF 1500 index

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