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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Gasket ID plus distributor anclutch slave question

I have some engine gaskets left over from my 1275 rebuild (completed by someone else) a few years back and cannot identify them. Could someone tell me what A, B, C and D are please?

Also, how does the distributor clamping plate seal without a gasket? Does the clamp bolt go lower down? (A while since I did this).

Finally, is it better to fit the clutch slave cyl before fitting engine and gearbox?

Thanks in anticipation.




Bill Bretherton

Bill, I can't help with the gaskets unless D is for a mechanical fuel pump. It was probably in a generic Spridget/A Series gasket set.

The distributor sealing is dealt with by O rings. There is one on the distributor body's shaft that's inserted in the housing and another one sealing the housing in the block. The clamp doesn't act as a seal.

Colin

PS.Your engine builder might have just thrown in a few extra 'left over' bits just to wind you up!

I'm also keen to hear what the advice is re. fitting the clutch slave cylinder.
C Mee

Bill,
Gasket kit are generic and have joints that may not be used on some models but on others.
A carburettor to manifold engines fitted with HIF carbs.
B carb to aircleaner as before
C Fuel pump engines fitted withmechanical pumps
D Carb to air cleaner HS2 carb.

If I am wrong I'm suresomeone will be along with the right answer

Mike
M J Pearson

Quick fit slave cylinder before or after. With quick fit I would do after. Fit your feed to it first and lower into position.
A remote bleed will aviod a lot of stress.
I also fit a threaded sleeve in the bellhousing for the bottom starter motor bolt as the nut can be a bugger if you are fitting engine and gearbox as two units or for maintence later.
Alan


Alan Anstead

I think Mike has all four (transposed C & D).

A - I wouldn't know for sure but sounds very right

B - would tie in with A then

C - yes HS air filter gasket

D - Colin was right too.

Nigel Atkins

Thanks all, don't know how I missed D but I already have a fuel pump gasket so this is surplus.

Colin, I get it now! - the shaft seals to the block.


Alan, thanks, I'm aware of the clutch slave mod so think I'll do that. It's that thing about cutting into a perfectly servicable item!

At least I know nothing was left off inside the engine! Can someone confirm which way round the dist. clamp fits i.e. the pinch bolt position.
Bill Bretherton

Pinch bolt at the top, nut towards the dipstick.
Dave O'Neill 2

When installing the engine and gearbox as one unit, I would always get it into the engine bay and before it was all the way in, I'd attach the slave which I had not disconnected from the hydraulic line. Once the slave cylinder was bolted in place, everything would be finally installed. Easier than crawling under the car to install it.
Martin

Thanks Dave and Martin.

Bill Bretherton

Bill. While the early distributors had an O ring, as has been noted, later models did not. There is no oil galley in the distributor portion of the block. The distributor drive gets its oil from the camshaft and is held in place by the distributor housing which has to be removed before the distributor drive can be removed from the engine block. Since there minimal chance of oil getting into the distributor housing, the rubber O ring was done away with on the later 25D and 45D series distributors. I have seen early model distributors, which had the cut for the O ring, used without the O ring. Unfortunately, after all these years, it is difficult to say whether that was the way they came from the factory or whether the O ring had been removed at some later period. The later 25D and all of the 45D versions were not machined for an O ring. Thus, if it is there it does no harm. If it is not there, it is most probably because it is not needed.

Les
Les Bengtson

This thread was discussed between 16/06/2020 and 18/06/2020

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