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MG MGA - Speedi-sleeve: Another Laugh of the Day

An MG owner will appreciate this story:

OIL LEAK IS NEW GLITCH FOR FORD GT: AUTOMAKER RESURRECTS "SPEEDI-SLEEVE" TO ADDRESS RARE PROBLEM

by AMY WILSON, Automotive News, Posted Date: 2/28/05

DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. is using a time-tested but unusual repair method to fix an engine oil leak in its flagship GT sports car. It is telling dealership mechanics to install a "Speedi-Sleeve" to stop oil from leaking from the crankshaft rear seal. It is one of several fixes being prescribed for the GT when the car goes into the shop for a major suspension recall.

The sleeves have been used for decades, largely on older, high-mileage cars or those undergoing an overhaul. It's extremely unusual for them to be used by a manufacturer on a new car, sources say.

"They work, but, gosh, it shouldn't happen," one Ford dealer says. "It's highly unusual. If I were the owner of a $150,000 race car, I wouldn't be happy about it."

The engine oil leak, which is caused by an improper finish on the crankshaft, isn't a problem in all cars, Ford spokeswoman Kristen Kinley says. The crankshaft finish has been fixed for cars in production.

For vehicles with the problem, the Speedi-Sleeve will close any gaps that might allow engine oil to leak. The device is a metal band that fits over the end of the crankshaft, increasing its diameter and making a tighter fit against the seal. The Speedi-Sleeve itself is a low-cost part but requires several hours of labor to install.

Until the GT, the sleeves hadn't been used by Ford, at least in recent years, Kinley says. She says it's uncommon because Ford hasn't experienced this type of leak during that period.

While all GTs will get new suspension control arms, not all of the cars are expected to need the other repairs. In addition to two recalls, Ford has issued nine technical service bulletins and one special service message on the GT. Problems range from the leaking crankshaft seal and blemishes on seat belt webbing to a rattle in the upper steering column and leaking power steering fluid.

"All of our customers are important, but (with) this one, we're really giving them the white-glove treatment," Kinley says. "We had an issue with the control arm. We don't want to take the chance we're going to have an issue with anything else."

Ford recalled the vehicle Dec. 16, ordering owners not to drive it after a crack was discovered in a test vehicle's control arm. A recall for a fuel tank vapor leak that affected about 45 cars was issued at the same time.

Ford assembled 448 cars before the recall; 111 were in owners' possession. Thirty-five cars have been repaired. Ford resumed limited GT assembly the week of Feb. 7. Ford aims to complete the suspension recall during the next few weeks. Eight control arms in each car are being swapped out from a cast part to a forged part.

The other service advisories are expected to affect a much smaller number of cars.

Arthur DiLello

I wonder if I have the same part number in my MG?
Steve Simmons

The Speedi-Sleeve is used on our MGs from time to time:-

Barney Gaylord's site has a good description of a rear axle seal repair:-

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/rearaxle/ra101.htm

Here you can read about a front crankshaft pulley:-

http://www.british-cars.org.uk/kimber/namgbr/techtips.htm

are there other applications on the MGA, MGB or Rover V8 ?
Nigel J S Steward

I feel respectable, now.
Tom Balutis

Sleeves have a better surface finish for an oil seal lip to run with than a ground and polised shaft has.
The same size oil seal is used with, or without the sleeve. Large sleeves like to be installed with some Moly assembly lube. Small ones can be installed with Loctite retaining compound, which prevents oil from passing under the sleeve.
S.R. Barrow

While it might bother me initially about a speedi-sleeve, I think that with further thought I feel better. The speedi-sleeve is a better wear item than the crankshaft, and can be replaced should there be problems later. I know that a crank seal area is normally good for longer than the car, but I have used sleeves before, and had no problem with them. Would the sleeve, not being cast and machined, be harder than the original surface, or otherwise?
mike parker

Just an idea, but I think that, exactly because it isn't as hard, it might give a better sealing because it can 'adapt' better to the counter-surface. (although the sealing should have been assured by a good finish of the crankshaft!)
Hardness and resistance to wear are also not always 1:1 related.

On the other hand, wouldn't the use of the sleeve upset the dynamic balance? Or is the entire system (crankshaft, flywheel, rods) rebalanced???

As I stated, just some ideas that came to my mind at this time of day ;-)

Alex
Alexander M

Alexander,
I think considering that the sleeve is concentric and so thin that there is no concern about balance. It is machined on a lathe, so it should be in balance regardless.
mike parker

Hi Alex- I also had to use one on a Ford 302 in my boat. Like Mike said they are real thin and also it's so close to the crank centerline that even if it was out of balance it it should not affect it. Gary
gary starr

The next recall will be to add SU carburettors, lever action shocks, pull strings instead of door handles, side curtains and a generator!
Cleve

Cleve,

don't forget the all-important crank handle for manual starts!
Joe Cook

Joe,
I used my hand crank for a year back in 1972 because I couldn't afford to purchase two 6 volt units. I had just enough spark to get it running, but they would not hold enough charge to start the car.
Could you imagine using the crank to start a monster V8?
Cleve

This thread was discussed between 28/02/2005 and 03/03/2005

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