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MG MGA - Oil Pan (Sump) Leak

My 1500 has developed a serious oil leak that occurred with no previous indication. The oil pan is leaking badly along one side so I thought that tightening the bolts would improve the situation but to no avail since one of them spun without grabbing. My question is what is the recommended fix - drill out oversize to 5/16" and tap or helicoil back to 1/4 - 28 (I assume that's the correct thread. All advice appreciated - I am a bit worried about how much "meat" there is on the bottom of the engine block. Trying to get ready for drive your MG day next week!
Thanks,
Tom
Tom Heath

Helicoil 1/4-28-UNF
Barney Gaylord

Tom, before refitting the sump, carefully check the sump's gasket face for flatness as previous over-tightening will have distorted it around the holes. With a bit of careful dressing I found the surface could be made perfectly flat again. From the info I have, the sump set screws only require a torque of 6-lbft. Sounds like someone has slightly over done it! Hope this helps.
Pete
PS. With a bent 7/16' spanner for the front bolts you will be able to remove the sump with the engine in situ.
P N Tipping

I designed a special socket wrench for the task,(of removing the front pan bolts), but was told that no one would be interested in owning such a wrench, by Moss...So
my proto-type sits lonely on the peg board...Makes tightening, and R&R a snap....
Edward
Edward Wesson 60MGA

Tom,
Had a similar problem on the engine in our coup. Added some thickish strips between two good holes to miss the stripped holes. This seems to work OK.
Looking forward to seeing you out next Saturday. (PM sent.)
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Tom,
Email to you just bounced back as undeliverable. Is "tomheath@telus.net" still current?
Call me on 604 535 0648, please.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

Hello to all,
Thanks for your advice. I have the 1/4 - 28 helicoil kit in hand and hope to carry out the repair in time for "drive your MG day" this coming weekend. I recall that I slotted the front cap screws holding the oil pan on after struggling with them the last time so I'm hoping to use a right-angle screwdriver for those devils!
Tom
Tom Heath

Final installment - and a lesson on "assuming". Removed the oil pan with some difficulty and installed helicoil in stripped hole. Carefully "dressed" the pan as suggested before replacing with new gasket. Still leaked like mad from rear right corner. Eventually discovered that the source was the flexible pipe to the oil pressure gauge which had a hole on the underside where it threads into the block fitting. Hence oil flowed down the side of the block and appeared to be coming from the pan. New pipe on order - hope to install it tomorrow. Thanks for the advice - and you know what they say about "assume"!
Tom Heath

Tom,
Pleased to see that you solved it, and made the very wet Drive Your MGA Day on Saturday. Can you believe that two cars drove all morning in that very heavy rain without putting their roofs up. Now that is pioneering spirit!
As I mentioned, the new oil pipes being supplied now are known to fail within a short time of being fitted. Keep an eye on it. When they fail they do so spectacularly allowing oil to be sprayed all over the engine compartment!
Seeya at Van Dusen.
Peter.
P. Tilbury

This thread was discussed between 24/04/2014 and 05/05/2014

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