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MG MGA - Leaking 1500 eng. oil seals

I'll be rebuilding a 1500GB engine from my 58 coupe soon...I have heard that its best to upgrade the front and rear oil seals to prevent oil leaks at these locations...or is it ok to use the original type seals as long as they r properly installed...if not, what are the upgrade parts...To save another thread, I'll ask about the rear seal on the early trans too, original seal or is there an upgrade for that as well...thanks, Mike...
Mike

Mike, there is no rear seal on the crankshaft, the amount of leakage you will get depends on the condition of the crank scroll. If you want to upgrade the front seal get a MGB timing chain cover with the rubber seal.
I kept the standard seal on my 1500 gearbox with no problems. If you want to go to another type, you may need to change the rear gearbox casting and the drive shaft.
John H

Thanks John...will the machine shop that will do my boring and crank usually know how to check the crank scroll for wear, or do u need to make it a point to ask...I don't want any leaks after all this work..and what about the timing marks if u go to the MGB cover..
Mike

They really can't do anything about the scroll on the end of the crank except inspect it. There isn't a repair that I know of. If you were loosing quite a bit of oil out the rear main it could be due to excess crankcase pressure due to blow by from worn rings and or a plugged crankcase breather system. I can tell you that my car looses very little oil out the rear of the crank.
As far as the timing marks with the B cover, set your engine with number 1 cylinder at TDC and check that the current timing marks line up. Than remove the old cover and install the B cover making sure not to move the crank. Make a new mark on the crank pully to line up with the B timing cover. Another plus with the B cover is that you can than check timing from the top instead of having to crawl under the car.
Remember, with a british car it is not if it leaks oil, only how much does it leak.
John H

and to add to johns comments,if it dosent leak oil,
you must add oil because its all run out.cc
c.callaway

Would that be any year MGB timing cover or is an early one better...just thought
I would check before calling the wrecking yard...
Mike

You want one off a 5 main bearing engine i/e 65 or later.
John H

I have found that the original felt seal in the front cover works well if properly installed. You must oil the felt before installing it into the front cover, and you must use the front pulley to center the cover it place when installing it onto the engine. The rear will loose a few drops of oil every time you shut it off. No easy way to cure this proplem.
Ed Bell

Mike,
Yiu will also need a different type of oil thrower if you use the MGB timing cover - see previous thread on this subject

Phil Parmenter
P Parmenter

Late MGA 1600 mk 2 has a lip seal timing cover. Early MGB G-GF is identical (Moss part 455-380). Good luck, Bill
bill cook

This thread was discussed between 11/04/2006 and 13/04/2006

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