Owners of 100s might be interested in this. As most know a 2199 cc
version of our engine was fitted to London Taxis before most were
converted to diesel. Back in the early 1960s I spotted an Austin Service
Journal that stated that the London Taxi Engine had a very long life but
the first thing to wear out was the timing chain. Mind you this could be
something to do with the 'not so great' tensioner system.
To remedy this they introduced a three row timing chain with timing
gears, cover etc. to match. The parts were listed separately and
available through normal spares outlets. With the help of colleagues at
BMC Service I got hold of a set and fitted them to a 100 engine.
Actually fitted in an A70 Hereford but that is another story. I still
have this engine that since the A70 was fitted into my 100 in the 1970s.
Here it gave long trouble free service and is now kept as a spare. Not
due to any problems I might add but because I wanted to fit the original
100 engine is back in the car.
I had no trouble with this three row set up. Because of a front oil leak
I had a look at it a few years ago and it looked 'as new'.
Having said all this I have experienced very little in the way of
problems with the standard set up other than deterioration of the
'between teeth' tensioner ring. Incidentally the three row set up has
two of these and therefore keeps the chain more stable which might also
make it last longer.
All the best
--
John Harper
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