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MG MGA - remove back plate or not when mounting to stand

I am following the Dr. Dolan "How to Rebuild an MG Motor" video. He removes clutch, flywheel and back plate before mounting to engine stand. However, I notice in the archives here that there is no mention of removing the back plate and it appears most are mounting the stand with back plate in place. Is there any benefit or disadvantage to removing the back plate and mounting directly to the block?

Bruce H. Little Rock, AR
B. P. Hurlbut

The back plate must be removed to get the crankshaft out, or to tend to the rear cam bearing.
Barney Gaylord

Bruce,
I currently have a 1600 on the engine stand without the back plate. As Barney mentions, it needs to be removed to R&R the crank. I used the back plate screw holes and fabricated some bolts of the proper length (about 3 3/4 inches) and used hardened washers for good measure. I've actually mounted it both ways depending on what I was doing. Probably a little easier using the backplate if you're not removing the crank.
Cheers,
GTF
G T Foster

This thread was discussed on 22/08/2011

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This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.