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MG MGA - engine rear plate

Hi all
Hello from sunny (and very hot) South Australia. Been watching this board for some years but never contributed. Owed a MGB for five years, currently own an MGF and an MGA 1600. This is a great resource! My question is this: I am currently removing a 15N motor from the A and replacing it with an 1800 3 brg 18G motor. The rear plate on the 15N engine is a bit puzzling. It fits ok but appears to be cast and the machined. The only plates i have seen are plain plates. Hope you can follow my waffling! Any ideas? Also, question on clutch. I know about upgrading to an MGB clutch but can't decide. I have read that the MGA clutch is not strong enough for the 1800 motor. Has any one done this? Or had problems?
Thanks and nice to participate
Matthew
M S Randell

You can use the MGA clutch if you want, but you're much better off using the B clutch. It's stronger.

Sorry, but I don't understand your first question about the rear plate.
Mark J Michalak

Hi Mark
yes, sorry a little unclear. There is no issue with the rear engine plate, it fits ok, but I am curious. All plates I have seen appear to be cut from a flat steel stock. This one appears to be cast and then machined flat where it mates with the block and bellhousing on the other side. No pic at the moment. I am just wondering if this is MGA. As I said, the motor is a 15N, maybe from a Nash Metropolitan? Just curious really.
Cheers Matthew
M S Randell

I have a picture of the cast style plate. This one is for the 1600 engine with high starter position. Coincidentally, it belongs to a friend who got it with an Elva Courier 1600, and I only did the nifty paint job.

The cast plate saves both material and machining time as it can be cast to near finished size with very little waste material. Just blanchard grind both sides and bore out the holes to finish.

Unfortunately I have not been able to discover the original application for these cast plates. As far as I know, all MGA were produced with flat stock flame cut steel plates.


Barney Gaylord

Thanks Barney, that's the one. My curiosity is satisfied! The original 1600 motor was replaced at some point by a 1500 bored out to 1622 (about 76mm)I think that's right. The 1500 is a 15N motor, possibly from a Nash Metro, so maybe the plate is the original off this 1500 motor. It has the high starter position so I can use it with the 1800.
Cheers, Matthew
M S Randell

This thread was discussed on 10/03/2008

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