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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - 1500 oil pump warning

Just rebuilt my 1500 midget and seized the engine on restart. Traced the problem to the oil pump.
When rebuilding the engine, I used an oil pump from a donor 1500 engine. I discovered that the oil pump shaft from the donor engine was shorter than the one in the original pump and therefore did not engage with the drive cog under the distributor. I did not realise that there would be two different sizes of shaft. One to watch out for. My tip would be after any rebuild and when the sump is, check that the oil pump shaft locks onto the drive spindle under the distributor before replacing the sump....costly mistake.
J McCreedy

That's not good news.

One thing to remember when about to start a rebuilt engine is to spin it over without the plugs fitted until you have oil pressure. If you have a later 1500 without oil pressure gauge, you will be reliant on the oil presure light.
Dave O'Neill 2

That bites big time. Thanks for the warning.

Moss catalog (USA) shows one part (836-125) for 1500 oil pump. Vic Brit (USA) lists 2: one for the 75 model year w/ straight pickup, one for all following years with curved pickup. No mention of differing shaft lengths. Is the shaft length difference UK spec only? Curious.

R
Richard 1979 1500

I have been informed that it is possible that my "donor" enging may have been a Triumph Dolomite 1500 with a slightly different spec than the 1500 Spitfire/Midget engine.
J McCreedy

This thread was discussed on 08/06/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG Midget and Sprite Technical BBS is active now.