Project Collectioneering - Moogs Mootahs

[The Moog]

Got the camshaft housing back this morning.

 

They had welded it up all the way around.

 

Now in theory I should take it somewhere to get machined. Instead I channeled my inner Dave and got the Dremel out.

 

I mainly used the sanding wheels to start taking it back on the key faces. It was slow work but quite satisfying.

 

 

Many were used

 

Then out with the wet and dry

 

Used the old camshaft and oil seals to test fit

 

Seems to run smoothly and no rough edges. I think I should get away with it.

 

 

Missus Moog is at work so used my parts* washer

[somewhatfoolish]

The seal pocket is a bit rough, but as long as you smear goo around the outside of the camshaft seal it should be reet.

[The Moog]

Embolden by that sort of success I cracked on with the other bits

 

First up was that stupid tensioner bolt. I applied many heats, hammered in the next size up allen and lo it worked

 

Boom. Very happy bunny

 

Hbol said that there are three bolts and the bottom of the timing cover falls off. After spending 20mins trying this approach I ended up whipping off the crank pulley.

 

As you can see there isn't a bottom bit that comes off.

 

That gave me access to water pump

 

Shhh don't wake the boss

 

Probably a good idea that the water pump was changed

 

Shiny new one back on

 

Phone then died so no more photos.

 

Timing bottom cover back on and got the head out of the dishwasher.

 

Next jobs are to time up the crank and lock it. Then get the camshafts back in. Then fit new timing belt, tensioner, covers, aux belt, coolant then good to go.

 

Couple of questions for the masses

 

1) I have broken part of the timing cover - any easy way to fix these? Does plastic welding work or plastic staples?

 

2) Tensioner bolt will need to be replaced. Are these anything special?

[The Moog]

The seal pocket is a bit rough, but as long as you smear goo around the outside of the camshaft seal it should be reet.

Have ordered assembly lube for the camshaft. It feels pretty smooth and rotates really easily.

[Pillock]

"plastic welding" works usually but needs clean plastic. It's basically just melting a thermoplastic with a soldering iron and knitting the two bits together.

 

If it's a flat piece, and there's a few mm of clearance behind, then drill some holes either side the crack and thread tie wraps through like the Drift Krew do with their bumpers, yo.

[The Moog]

Just concerned a little that it is the timing belt cover so I don't want it catching on stuff.

[hairnet]

moog you slaaaaag

 

remind me to take photos of the cabinets

 

im thick ill forget (like the last three days)

[beko1987]

Ah cambelt covers are over rated! My old xantia never had a top one fitted and did thousands of high boost miles!

 

Never caused a problem*

[The Moog]

MGF has driven off into the wilds of Accrington heading for Yorkshire with its new happy owner. Another nice to meet shiter

 

Down to 5.

[hairnet]

Why does Joe need an mgf

[Exiled_Tat_Gatherer]

Moog - I use one of those small gas torches for baking...... creme brûlée torch thing. It's so far melted together bits of the car, engine cover, undertray bits, plastic mounting for rear bumper and the crappy garden table the landlady left here...... all still in one piece and with a small flame it was easily controllable. 

If it doesn't work out you can surprise the missus with a nice pudding!

[Broadsword]

It was very nice to meet you Mr. Moog. It was a day of many firsts. First convertible driven, first mid engined car driven, first MG. Mr. Moog also very kindly let me drive his MX-5 and Pug 406. Another two cars I had never driven! Overall a very good morning's skirmish and the MG very happily barreled along the motorway 94 miles home. It uses remarkably little fuel and looks really rather smart. Thanks again!!

[hairnet]

It uses remarkably little fuel

Didn't when Moog drove it either

[The Moog]

Didn't when Moog drove it either

What's that spinning over the (knock) hill ... Is it a hairnet ..

is it a hairnet...

[hairnet]

What's that spinning over the (knock) hill ... Is it a hairnet ..

is it a hairnet...

yeah but warp factor 3 rather than moog impulse powah

[The Moog]

Timed engine up and locked the crank

 

New head bolts came and were fitted properly

 

Head cleaned and ready

 

Lubed up

 

 

So hbol says

 

set camshaft at 8pm on exhaust cam - tick

 

Add thread lock to patch bolts - tick

 

Tighten bolts diagonally carefully - tick

 

Use a torque wrench set to 25nm as max -tick

 

Crack the camshaft holder in a different place - tick

 

 

 

 

FFFFUUUUCCCKKK

[SiC]

Is your torque wrench still in cal'?

[The Moog]

Is your torque wrench still in cal'?

It's not that old and I have barely used it. Stays in its case.

[Supernaut]

[Steve79]

Thing you'll be needing this then

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F232845272476

 

Or this

 

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F183391504695

[The Moog]

Will that fit an m series?

[Steve79]

Ah bugger, still had my t-series head on. Its a development of the m-series but probably won't fit sorry

[The Moog]

Ah bugger, still had my t-series head on. Its a development of the m-series but probably won't fit sorry

Camshaft housings look the same. Going to lob an offer on it.

 

I think this has to be a labour of love to get the car back on the road.

 

Will get a grown up to help me fit it as well.

[Steve79]

Might be worth trying these guys first before that. They're showing a 16v series heaď in-stock

 

http://bguk.co.uk/cylinder-heads-product-stock-list/

[Mr_Bo11ox]

Wtf is going on here? I don't get why these are cracking. Is the surface they sit on not flat or something?

[Steve79]

Nice write up about the 800 and the differences between the m-series and t-series engine.

 

https://www.aronline.co.uk/facts-and-figures/engines/m-and-t-series-engines/

[MorrisItalSLX]

It’s moments like these that just make you go “why didn’t I give this to a fucking mechanic?!”.

 

I’ve had similar fun* installing rear shocks on my old Sonata, I ended up breaking everything I touched. Such a ball ache and it’s the main reason I have not got its current faults repaired.

 

But, with a fair amount of blood, sweat and tears, anything’s possible (as long as you can afford it!).

[cort16]

Fuck a duck. What a nightmare. I really feel for you I've had stuck water pump bolts that have made me want to fire the car out of a  trebuchet never mind all these shenanigans.

[The Moog]

Wtf is going on here? I don't get why these are cracking. Is the surface they sit on not flat or something?

Someone on rover800 forum suggested that - whether the head is fucked. It was put into garage as it was leaking oil and they thought it might be HGF.

 

When we got it running it wasnt leaking oil so assumed that was wrong. Had a head gasket and skim _4k ago but 10 years ago. Not sure they put anti freeze in based on water pump

 

 

To be honest I didn't check the head, I assumed it was ok. Will have a look later.

 

I checked the size of the camshaft just in case

 

Old

 

New

 

Some more pictures from it - you can still see the gap.

 

it has cracked pretty comprehensively

 

And my cheap crocs have got a hole, I found out by stepping in a puddle.

 

Will roll the dice with a head but after that I think it is call it a day

 

AHH well beats losing it in the bookies.

[dome]

Fuck a duck. I can imagine how this feels. Leave it alone for a while. Beer is good