[Mgs] engine question

[Malcolm Jeffcock]

This task has been very frustrating I thought that once I had the engine out it would be a single day re-install, maybe 4 hours allowing for a lot of jiggling by myself...I still don't even have my transmission and engine mated! My latest bought with my own ignorance is similar to what Eric has stated in the message below. I went to put the fly wheel back on the engine, install clutch etc. a short job but after three hours still in bits! Bentley manual states:
            WHEN REPLACING THE FLYWHEEL ENSURE THAT THE 1 AND 4 TIMING MARK ON THE PERIPHERY OF THE FLYWHEEL IS IN LINE WITH AND ON THE SAME SIDE AS THE FIRST AND FOURTH THROWS OF THE CRANKSHAFT.
            TO ASSIST CORRECT LOCATION OF THE FLYWHEEL THE DEPRESSION IN THE CRANKSHAFT FLANGE SHOULD BE IN LINE WITH THE ONE ON THE FLYWHEEL PERIPHERY

So I searched, and I searched for a "timing mark" on the flywheel...find nothing. So I search the other flywheel...nothing. So I have no 1 and 4 timing mark that I can see, I see no depression in the crank flange either. I thought it was a question of my ignorance, not really knowing what I am looking for but I could find no mark of any type! What am I looking for? How big/noticeable is the "depression" I should be looking for? Anyone have a photo? I have a single dowel for the flywheel to mount on while installing...should there be two? It looks like there is a hole for one on each side of the wheel...

Another question: should there have been a gasket between the transmission and engine? I had a fair bit of oil inside my bell housing, there was nothing to act as a gasket? Would a very thing film of silicone be in order?
On a positive note if you have seen that CLR degreaser that is now advertised really works well, far more effective than the other degreasers I used at first to clean it out..
Another issue is the distributor...how do I ensure it is correctly oriented and not 180 off?

Well if I can get some guidance on these points I would be very grateful, thanks. I am learning that my ignorance knows no bounds!  

Malcolm

  ---

  -- Original Message ----- 
  From: cyberemp at comcast.net 
  To: MG LIST 
  Cc: msjeffcock at eastlink.ca 
  Sent: Sunday, June 20, 2010 5:41 PM
  Subject: re: MG flywheel. Is there balance in our MG flywheels?


  your note turns up a question that has engaged me for some time. 
  Is there balance in our MG flywheels? Years ago I had the engine to my MGA balanced, with the flywheel turned and a different ring gear installed.
     There were no marks or instructions on the orientation of the flywheel for installation.
     Recently I had the balance of the flywheel of a later  (76-80) MG checked, and was told that it was not  a perfect, or neutral balance.
     I could find no markings on this flywheel for instalation either.
     Is it possible that this variance is due to the motor involved? 3 main bearing verses 5 main bearing?
    When rebuilding the engine of my first car, a 1967 Ford Cortina GT, I was told by my my mentor to make small marks on the flywheel and on the crankshaft end so that I could reinstall the flywheel in the same orientation, in the hope that the original assemblers in the factory had known what they were doing. He said this with a  smile, indicating a bit of doubt as to the attention given to this matter.
     So I offer this question to you, my fellow enthusiasts. Is there balance in our flywheels?
  Eric.
  46 MG-TC
  59 MGA
  65 MGB
  70 MGB
  71 MGB
  So many cars, so little parking.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------



  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG - www.avg.com 
  Version: 8.5.437 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2951 - Release Date: 06/20/10 06:37:00