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Gold Seal Engine (1800) - click for larger size

9. Engine

Engine & Ancillaries

I decided to obtain a re-conditioned engine because of the considerable amount of time and effort it would save me. So I collected a Gold Seal unit from MGB Hive (I understand it weighs about 90Kg). An essential engine crane was borrowed from my neighbour (who made it himself - thankyou Les!) which was used to lift the engine and also to hold it steady while I worked on it.

Flywheel attached to engine - click for larger size When I painted the front crankshaft pulley I put white paint on the timing notch to make it easier to use a timing light. The rear engine plate was painted and a new seal fitted. I also fitted a new crankshaft/gearbox spigot bush. Then the flywheel and clutch were attached. I found that a universal clutch alignment tool was not "universal" (perhaps it fits everything except the MGB!) so instead I used a rule to equalise the measurement from the clutch plate to the edge of the flywheel in 3 places. This worked a treat as the gearbox slid into position beautifully.

Engine & trasmission hoisted in - click for larger size Other ancillaries were fitted: dipstick, water pump pulley, engine mountings. The engine and transmission were hoisted as a unit onto the chassis and the mountings bolted on.

The starter motor and alternator were reconditioned by an auto-electrician at my local car spares shop. I fitted these, together with the filter housing and a new oil filter.

Distributor & ancillaries - click for larger size I believe the filter housing is one from a Marina but it has the major advantage that the filter hangs downwards and will therefore be less messy to change than an inverted MGB one. An oil hose is needed to connect the block to the filter housing (by-passing the oil cooler, which is not used). The first oil hose I bought was a lovely stainless steel one but it was much too long and untidy. It took me several attempts to get an oil by-pass hose which I was finally satisfied with.

Engine & trasmission mounted - click for larger size When inspecting the distributor, I found it partially seized and in need of substantial reconditioning. It is not possible to obtain individual components (apart from usual things like points, condenser, rotor, cap, etc.) so my only real option was a new unit. I could have opted for an electronic one at this point but decided to stick with a standard Lucas 45D4 rather than have something which is difficult to fix if it goes wrong.

Listen to my first attempt to start the engine! I was delighted that it fired up first time and was pleased that everything seemed to work including oil pressure, rev. counter, charging voltage, temperature gauge and the cooling fan cut in & out. I did, however, need to reduce the idling speed.


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