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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - core plug fitting

hi all, advice needed in fitting a core plug in the block the ones which i have been sent by the mgoc are completley different from the one been replaced and look like pan lids i need to know if they are fitted the convect or concave way into the block .many thanks

a moverley

A photo of the offending core plug would be helpful.

There were two different types of core plugs fitted to A-series engines. Small-bore engines had a basic 'dished' disc, whereas 1275 engines had a smaller diameter plug, which was more like a small piston, in that it had a flange about 1/4 to 5/16" long.

They aren't interchangeable.
Dave O'Neill2

There are two types. I don't know when they changed or what type you should have. I discussed this with with my machine shop about 12 months ago...

The first are sort of bucket like, with tall sides, they go in bottom first. The sides are slightly tapered and this creates the seal (I still used a smear of hylomar on the advice of the machine shop).

The "flat" (actually slightly dished as you allude to, but without a lip like the bucket ones) go in so that the dish points outwards from the block. You then have to whack the dish with a hammer, flattening the dish out pushes the sides of the plug outwards to create a seal.

Hard to describe, but if you have the two sorts in front of you it probably makes sense.

Top tip, the edges of the plug hole get burred and make the new plugs a pig to get in. I cleaned off the edges of the holes with a needle file, if you don't the plugs will refuse to go in.

Will try and find a pic, give me a mo...

Cheers,
Malcolm
Malcolm Le Chevalier

all of that; which engine prefix do you have, it should be 12V ?
David Smith

Turns out I don't have any pics of doing the core plugs, probably decided it wasn't that exciting to photo really!
Malcolm Le Chevalier

If your block has the deep dished 'bucket' type core plugs then the 'flat' type will not fit as they rest against a lip machined into the block that doesn't exist on the other kind. Your best bet is to pick up a set from Evilbay as they'll use a photo to sell so you know you're getting the right ones. (don't ask me how I know this but the flat ones make great tiddlywinks)
graeme jackson

This thread was discussed between 09/04/2013 and 10/04/2013

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