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Re: crankshaft dampers TR four cylinder engines

To: mikek@wanadoo.fr
Subject: Re: crankshaft dampers TR four cylinder engines
From: "Jack W. Drews" <vinttr4@geneseo.net>
Date: Sat, 25 Nov 2000 07:47:33 -0600
Cc: triumphs@autox.team.net
References: <3a1ea7643a27ad99@antholoma.wanadoo.fr> (added by antholoma.wanadoo.fr)
mikek@wanadoo.fr wrote:

> I've heard that when we fit an electric fan  and scrap the stock fan
> we should fit a crankshaft damper from a MG B.( or other)
> Anyone got any ideas?
> Thanks
> Mike Kitchener
> 60 TR3A TS 75178

There is an ongoing debate regarding the effectiveness of the fan in its
rubber mounts as a torsional vibration dampener. I don't think it does
much and I think you can remove it without causing any damage. But,
that's just an opinion, not data.

Now for real life data:

I fitted an MGB front pulley to my TR4 vintage racer. I wanted some kind
of torsional vibration dampener and everything else on the market was
very expensive. Here are the issues:

The MGB uses the narrow belt. Therefore you must change the water pump
pulley and the generator pulley.
If you change to a modern alternator, that takes care of the pulley
problem but you must deal with the pulley alignment problem so that the
belt runs straight. It is not hard to do.
The water pump pulley must be changed -- we used the stock hub, machined
off the pulley part, and bolted a custom-made pulley to it. Cheap if you
can do it yourself.
Then, to actually fit the MGB torsional vibration dampener (front
pulley), the seal diameter is different and the wrong length, so you
must machine that off, and then machine the proper length piece off of a
TR4 pulley, and use the two together. You must also file down the key in
the crank since the groove in the MGB pulley is not deep enough.

Got all that?

If you'd like to buy a kit to do it, buy it from British Frame and
Engine for $340. It comes with a properly made crank pulley, a special
size seal for the timing gear cover, and a water pump pulley. BFE's
phone number is 626-443-0939.


--

uncle jack

The Attorney General advises that vintage racing may be hazardous to
your wealth.

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