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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Aluminium 1275 Engine Backplates

Do any of you illustrious gentlemen have experience good or bad of the aluminium 1275 engine backplate, particularly that supplied by Moss?
I would be grateful for your experiences of application.
Thanks
Bob
R C Skerritt

I have one, think it might have been Peter May though. No problems and just fits the same as the original.
John

I made one using 8mm ally plate I got off ebay. I used a cast iron one as a template. I used a powered jigsaw to cut out the big holes with the ally plate bolted to the cast iron one. Then finished it off with a file, mostly where the oil pump canister is situated.

I got through at least half a dozen jigsaw blades and suffered with blurred vision for a while after!!!!


Rob
MG Moneypit

I work with aluminium every day and could probably have got hold of some thick enough but there was no way I was going to attempt that to save about �80! Maybe if we had a bandsaw at work - must put that on the list of new tools for the workshop!

Anyway, good on you Rob for giving it a go and succeeding.
John

My back plate is an aftermarket aluminum that came with my datsun 5 speed kit...it works great

I went thur 2 iron back plates before i did the upgrade...if you got engine vibration they wont hold up indefinitely they will crack and then you just toast if they can't be welded

The goodthing about the aluminum plates... they are essentially crack proof and they hold up well and lightweight I've never heard of anyone having an issue

If I ever went back to the ribby 4 speed I definitely do an aluminum plate over the original iron

that's just me
1 Paper

I also made mine I bought a piece of flat aluminium from the Aluminium Warehouse and used a jigsaw to cut it out to shape.

Note:- there are proper blades for cutting aluminium which won't bind or break as easy as a "standard" blade.

The only bit that was tricky was the recess for the oil pump, but as I had a Bridgeport at work it was a simple lunch break job.
Martyn Wilks

Bosch jigsaw blade for Ali plate is #227d and is compatible with many other machines besides Bosch. I still have a few.

Supposed to be good for up to 15mm section, but I've cut 20mm plate with care and patience. Use some light cutting oil if you have it.
Greybeard

Yep I cut 25mm plate with those - wear safety glasses with side screens though as the swarf comes up at you
Martyn Wilks

This thread was discussed between 29/04/2017 and 02/05/2017

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