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MG MGA - Engine Reassembly Questions

Hi everyone,

My rebuild is nearly complete, and the engine might be ready to go as soon as tomorrow. However, I have a few questions that I can't find answers for:

1. What is the correct tension for the fan belt?

2. Does the polarity of the wires leading to the generator matter? Both of mine are yellow and I don't know which wire is supposed to to which lead, or if it matters.

3. Can I re-use the cork gasket for the valve cover? It is in pretty good shape. I put a little oil in the cover tonight, and didn't spot any leads?

4. I already installed the exhaust manifold and used a new gasket, but was wondering if I was supposed to use some kind of additional sealer with the gasket or if the gasket alone is enough.

5. What is the correct torque for the valve cover bolts? Or just finger tight and then some?

6. I can't get the exhaust manifold flange to sit flush. There's a 1/4" space between the flange and the manifold. I've tightened these bolts pretty tight and it won't budge. What could be getting in the way? Could I have the fiber washer that sits in the pipe installed the wrong way?

7. The front-right engine mount is supposed to be bolted to a piece of steel that sits perpendicular to it, which is in turn connected to the engine. They aren't, and I'm pretty sure weren't before I pulled the engine. Is this a big deal? I've tried pulling the engine out a bit with the hoist, but I can't get the bolt holes to line up at all. The other engine mount is properly bolted up and the engine is quite solid in there - hoisting it up lifts the entire car without any stretch.

Thanks!
-Rich
Rich

From my experience with B engines:

1. What is the correct tension for the fan belt?

You should be able to deflect the longest run of the bely by half to one inch with moderate pressure.



2. Does the polarity of the wires leading to the generator matter? Both of mine are yellow and I don't know which wire is supposed to to which lead, or if it matters.

I'll leave this one to A owners



3. Can I re-use the cork gasket for the valve cover? It is in pretty good shape. I put a little oil in the cover tonight, and didn't spot any leads?

If a gasket is in excellent shape I have found it can be reused with no problems, if it shows obvious deformation though it will leak.



4. I already installed the exhaust manifold and used a new gasket, but was wondering if I was supposed to use some kind of additional sealer with the gasket or if the gasket alone is enough.

No sealer necessary, I'm not sure anyone makes a sealant that would withstand the temperatures that gasket is subject to anyway!



5. What is the correct torque for the valve cover bolts? Or just finger tight and then some?

Fingertight plus a little bit has always worked fo me.



6. I can't get the exhaust manifold flange to sit flush. There's a 1/4" space between the flange and the manifold. I've tightened these bolts pretty tight and it won't budge. What could be getting in the way? Could I have the fiber washer that sits in the pipe installed the wrong way?

On the B that gap is normal, the washer makes the seal, the flanges are just somewhere for the bolts to go, I would guess the A is the same.



7. The front-right engine mount is supposed to be bolted to a piece of steel that sits perpendicular to it, which is in turn connected to the engine. They aren't, and I'm pretty sure weren't before I pulled the engine. Is this a big deal? I've tried pulling the engine out a bit with the hoist, but I can't get the bolt holes to line up at all. The other engine mount is properly bolted up and the engine is quite solid in there - hoisting it up lifts the entire car without any stretch.

Another one for the A owners.



I hope this is of some help.

MikeB
The Wiz

Rich,
The left and right side motor mount support plates that attach to the engine plate should be mirror images of each other. They attach to the engine plate with flat head machine bolts so the bolt holes on the plate that carries the rubber motor mount has beveled holes for the flat head bolts. Have a good day!

John
John Progess

This thread was discussed between 24/08/2005 and 29/08/2005

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