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MG MGA - help changing points

Just tried to install a shiny new distributor cap, rotor arm, leads and points but not sure how to turn the engine over to help adjust to the contacts to the correct gap width. Problem is that my Mark I seems to have had a bit of a bang in the past and the cross bar on the front chasis is slightly out of shape such that the starter handle will not correctly go through to meet with the dog nut so I can turn the engine over. Any easy suggestions on how to turn over the engine?

Safety Fast.

Jason
Jason Ogelman

Jason, just stick the car in gear with the handbrake off. Push the car back or forward to turn the engine. Simples
Neil McGurk

With the spark plugs out you can turn it by the fan.
Spark plugs are removed for ease of turning, but more importantly for safety as you might be tempted to turn the engine when all the ignition system is connected and turned on.


Mick
M F Anderson

Jason - I always take the dizzy off to do the points etc -much easier to see what you are doing - just make sure you mark the position of it before you remove it so you don't lose the timing. You will, however, need to turn the engine over when you are doing the valve clearances - I put the car in reverse gear to do this and leave the plugs out as Mick suggests.
Cam Cunningham

You will find it dead easy, with the plugs out, engage 4th gear as its the easiest gear to turn the engine and push the car forward to check each gap. When you run out of garage, knock it out of gear, push the car back, into gear again and push forward as before. Always make checks after forward rotation of the engine.
Pete
Pete Tipping

Hi Jason. I'm with Mick. Its a lot easier to change the points with the distributor out of the car. The distributor can only go in one way, but before you pull it out, mark the position of the distributor body relative to the engine. I usually make note of where the distributor cap clip is, in relation the the engine block. THe service manual will thell you how to change the points. A couple of notes: The wires and platic terminal insulator need to be replaced in the corret positions and order or the car will not start. The apsark plug wires nee to be replaced in the correct order, if the plug wires are removed. There is a fine, thin wire insie the distributor. If this wire breaks, the car will not start. This thin wire is delicate, so handle it with care. good luck, Glenn
Glenn Hedrich

Fit an electronic ignition unit and you will never touch it again till it fails. Fitting points out of the car is the way to do it, you can then get the assembly done easily without dropping anything. Just mark the distributor first against the flange with a drop of paint to line it up exactly again afterwards. Leave the cap attached and in the car- has no bearing on fitting the points at all.
dominic clancy

I also take the dizzy out. Much easier and less likely to drop something. Note the direction of the rotor as well as the angle of the dizzy body so you can put it back in the same condition. Also be sure NOT to over-tighten the collar nut holding the dizzy from rotating, as it is easy to actually break the collar.

- Ken
Ken Doris

KD, the point about not over-tightening the collar nut is well made. I did this and in my enthusiasm slightly deformed and cracked the base of the distributor. The problem was compounded by the fact that the collar was not fully housed into the distributor base. Another lesson learnt.
J H Cole

This thread was discussed between 02/10/2010 and 06/10/2010

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