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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Engine Removal Process

Hi,

as suggested in a different but related thread, anyone have any advice on the process of engine removal as this my first time.

The plan to to have the car on mounts and remove the engine with a hoist.

Anything to watch for, or does anyone follow a process?

Bruce
Porridge

Which year?

You will need an engine crane and ideally a levelling device.
The Haynes manual has a step by step process, which I used for my 1500 for the first time this winter. It was straight forward, even doing it on my own.
C MADGE

You want the car on the floor to do the engine out bit as having it up in the air just makes life harder on the crane/ hoist as you have to lift higher. Support the gearbox with a trolley jack underneath it to make the lifting easier on the input shaft.

Make sure as you come under tension on the hoist that you have everything free and are not just testing the tensile strength of whatever is still attaching car and engine
Dominic Clancy

start outdoors - drain the cooling system before pushing back into the garage
David Smith

A series? Drain the gearbox oil before you start. Or undo the prop shaft at the diff end and secure it with tying wire so it doesn't pull out of the garbox and releas the oil.

For a speedy job release the inlet and exhaust manifolds from the block and just pull them back out of the way with bungee straps, leaving exhaust fuel lines and carb connections all still fitted.

Remember to release the engine earthing strap - its easily overlooked.
GuyW

Unless you really need the gearbox out, leave it where it is.
Dave O'Neill 2

if you are going to make a habit of it (engine removal that is) you can slot the engine mounting brackets before you put the engine back - next time you'll only need to loosen two nuts to free the engine from the mounts whilst leaving both mounts in place. Normally you would leave the offside bracket in place as its trapped below the steering column and remove the nearside bracket with the engine.
I've used a crane many times but not a hoist - does that mean you have to roll the car backwards as the engine comes out?
As above - a load leveller makes it a lot easier.
S G Macfarlane

I have done it a few times and after the first time I wrote a simple check list of what to disconnect and remove made the second time out easier also made sure i re fitted everything back on suppose its an aircraft background, I like lists.
mark heyworth

You Tube is your friend

http://www.google.com/search?client=avast&q=how+to+remove+an+MG+midget+engine#kpvalbx=1

Mind you 7 minutes is going it a bit!

Jeremy MkIII

I put my engine back in last night. The engine starts tilted at around 70 degrees and as you lower it needs to be rotated to horizontal. I cant imagine trying to do that without a leveling device. Obviously its the reverse for removal.

But with the right kit its doable on your own.
C MADGE

Some photos on my blog might help you

http://1965mgmidgetrestoration.blogspot.com/2012/12/engine-removed.html
James Paul

I cannot do it now, but 25 years ago I could lift an assembled A series engine on my own and fit it into my car without needing a hoist. Without dynamo, manifold and starter that is.
Hardest part is aligning it onto the gearbox input shaft and getting it to slide onto the clutch centre plate splines without stressing the shaft. But that is the same critical moment when using a hoist.
GuyW

Just to let you know, it took me a day and half to get the engine out onto a stand ready to go. I didnt rush and took off everything I could, takes a bit more time but that way I wasnt concerned abut everything else. Now I have a better idea of everything I would have thought a couple of hours tops for the next time.
Porridge

It is often much nicer to work slowly and methodically, with everything set aside neatly ready for reassembly. I have certainly done that, but have also done a speedy removal and refit.

My best removal time from running engine to engine & gearbox sitting on the garage floor was 55 minutes. Replacement takes a little longer at 75 minutes. Others I know can beat both of those times.
GuyW

A picture from the garage.


Alan Anstead

This thread was discussed between 29/03/2019 and 22/04/2019

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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