MG-Cars.com
MG MGA 1 5/16' spanner for turning the engine BBS discussion at MG-Cars.net
MG-Cars.net
Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.
Recommendations
Parts
MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.
|
|
MG MGA - 1 5/16' spanner for turning the engine
| After skinning my knuckles (again) using an adjusting spanner to turn the engine over to set the tappets - there must be a better way? My car is positioned over a scissor hoist so cannot rock back and forth in gear, engine is new so too hard to turn using the fan belt even with the plugs out (does not have a normal fan only electric), 1/2" drive 1 5/16" socket wont fit because of steering rack. Also the taper on the jaws of my 12' adjustable spanner means the spanner needs to be angled towards the radiator so it doesn't slip off the nut causing more hand damage. There must be a better way? I have thought of making a 12 point thin flat spanner with an offset so handle ends up in the mid point between the radiator and the radiator hose. Any ideas welcome. Mike |
| Mike Ellsmore |
| HiMike Would a Land Rover Discovery viscous fan thin spanner (32mm) with a bit of enlarging work? Brian |
| Brian Paddon |
| Mike can I lend you my one and only original crank-handle? Barry. |
| Barry Gannon |
| Mike I use an old 3/4 Whitworth ring spanner with the other end cut off- it's now 11" long all up Fits in easily on the carby side or better from underneath if you've got the car up willy |
| William Revit |
| Mike Can you not move the car away from the hoist to complete the task? Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| As Barry says, a starting handle is the way to go....Unless you have an MGB engine! |
| Lindsay Sampford |
| Just tickle the starter. watch for any valve to open..... etc. You don't have to do this in order, just note which you've done. I've seen Barney do this on his car in my driveway and it didn't take 5 minutes. Or, get a grip on one of the rear tires, (lock it in place) put it in 4th and turn the free rear tire forward. |
| MAndrus |
| Mike, I have the same problem with a new motor, although I've bumped it over to set valves. I prefer to rotate the engine by the crank pulley however, so one idea I've had is to take the 1 5/16 socket to a machine shop and machine away most of the socket. You certainly don't need the full socket depth to engage the pulley nut. Several careful measurements are needed before doing this to be sure it can work before you trash a good (expensive) socket! George |
| George G. |
| I do the same as MAndrus. Just give the starter a couple of pulls with the rocket cover off. You can just give a short pull whilst watching the valve gear. Regards Colin |
| Colin Manley |
| why not just use the starting handle to turn the engine over - much easier and more precise than randomly hitting the starter relay to guess at the TDC for each valve |
| Dominic Clancy |
| I always use starting handle even on by 18GA MGB engine, why not? Paul |
| Paul Dean |
| I havn't physically checked, but I don't think you can use a starter handle on the 18V MGB motor in an A. There's no hooked end crank nut for a start. Maybe Mike has an 18V? |
| Gary Lock |
| In that case I use a socket on the crank nut, and a series of extensions through the same route as the crank handle. A ratchet on the outer end gives all the ease of turning and the precision of using the crank handle on an engine with a dognut. It is a bit tight getting a socket in, but it can be done with a bit of judicious wiggling and the right socket profile. On my own car it is a very tight fit because of the extra pulley to drive the Judson. |
| Dominic Clancy |
| What a clever but simple and probably obvious idea Dominic, but do you not sleep! |
| Lindsay Sampford |
| Mike, As MAndrus said, try using the starter switch to bump the engine over to move the valves to the positions needed to set them. Disconnect the wire from the coil so the engine won't start unintentionally. I've not tried this but have seen John Twist do this on a YouTube video. Jim |
| JL Cheatham |
| Mike, Try using the starter switch to bump the engine over to move the valves to the positions needed to set them. Disconnect the wire from the coil so the engine won't start unintentionally. I've not tried this but have seen John Twist do this on a YouTube video. Jim |
| JL Cheatham |
| Thanks for all your kind suggestions, I have used all on other MGAs but the problems with the coupe are: Coupe has an 18GB engine so no driving dog for Barry's crank handle. Centre line of crank intersects steering rack tube, and also gap between is too small to fit even a machined down socket - also has a deeper radiator, under slung oil cooler, air ducting and spoiler so no access for ratchet and wobbler extensions. Car also has geared starter motor with inbuilt solenoid so cannot jog starter unless I hook up a remote starter switch or use a second person. Willie's 3/4" Whit ring spanner would work (0.013" smaller than 1 5/16" across the flats) but hard to come by - I will check the local trash and treasure markets! Also the reworked Land Rover Discovery viscous fan thin spanner (32mm) might be the answer (0.053" undersize) - assume they are not cheap or readily available? I reckon I might have a go at making a spanner out of 5mm steel plate with suitable offset. Mike |
| Mike Ellsmore |
| Found plenty of Land Rover Discovery viscous fan thin spanner (32mm) but see they are open enders - I'm looking for a ring spanner preferably. http://www.lasertools.co.uk/product/1144 Mike  |
| Mike Ellsmore |
| Just put in 4th and roll it. You only need 2 revolutions. |
| MAndrus |
| Time difference is down to me being in Bangkok! |
| Dominic Clancy |
| Note my original comment "car is parked over a scissor hoist that prevents it being rocked back and forth" Mike |
| Mike Ellsmore |
| Take it off the scissor jack? |
| Art Pearse |
| Art, I think I will in the future, it is just a bit of a logistics problem (two car garage one stored over the scissor hoist, entry ramp to garage slopes away sharply) - I reckon I have just about done this topic to death! Mike |
| Mike Ellsmore |
| Dominic, thank goodness for that, there was me thinking that you were awake all night and spent the day hanging upside-down! |
| Lindsay Sampford |
| Take the plugs out and use the fan to turn the engine while putting some pressure on the longest run of fan belt. |
| Chris at Octarine Services |
| Mike Does the scissor hoist have ramps or does it contact the chassis? Steve |
| Steve Gyles |
| Chris, see my original post - engine does not have a mechanical fan, engine is hard to turn by the alternator belt alone even with plugs out as only has a couple of hundred kms on it. Steve, scissor hoist has hinged ramps both sides - rubber blocks pick up the chassis rails when hoisting. http://bigredjackste.com.au/product/low-profile-scissor-lift/ Mike |
| Mike Ellsmore |
| Mike I reckon this is the go : http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/840-Padre-DIN-3111-Deep-Ring-Spanner-33-mm-/232286814079?hash=item36155f7f. |
| William Revit |
| 33-mm is 0.013-in too small, likely will not fit on the 1-5/16-in nut. |
| barneymg |
| converting from 1-5/16 you are 100% correct but the head of the crank bolt actually measures at 33mm |
| William Revit |
| As above...why not a starter handle? Quick, easy, and may help you if the starter ever fails. |
| E F Gillam |
| A cold day and only Collingwood playing on TV so bit the bullet and made myself an offset, thin, 1 5/16" ring spanner - overcomes my unique issuses. Mike  |
| Mike Ellsmore |
| "only Colingwood" and not only that, you worked while they were playing--how could you lol willy |
| William Revit |
| Up the Essendon Bombers! |
| Graham V |
This thread was discussed between 28/03/2017 and 04/06/2017
MG MGA index
This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.