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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - frogeye main bearings

Is it possible to pull the front and rear bearing caps on a 948 engine in situ?

thanks
mog

yes but on the front cap you need to remove the two screws behind the crankshaft timing chain sprocket, so you have to remove the timing gears and chain.
Bob Beaumont

The frontplate gasket also seals onto the cap, so you'll probably destroy it.

I'm not sure there is enough clearance between the rear cap and the backplate to remove it.
Dave O'Neill 2

As engine removal only takes an hour, its probably as quick, if not quicker to pull the engine.
Guy W

Thanks,

I pulled the sump to see what was going on, found the middle bearing is shot & couldnt see if I was doing something wrong as there was no wiggle room due to the collars on the rear cap and interference on the backplate, I should have just pulled the engine to start with seeing how bad the middle shells are.

Thanks again.
mog

Now you tell me

;)
mog

I think it's well worthwhile removing the engine for any major work. Apart from anything else, it's an opportunity to get everything, including the engine bay, spotlessly clean (and painted if desired) - always important for any engine rebuild.
Nick Nakorn

Especially if it only takes an hour!


mog

Cleaneing the engine bay may be extra!
1hr 15mins for engine removal from a later Spridget, but it should be quicker for a frog. It does of course assume that all the nuts and bolts undo freely, and none is siezed. ;-)
Guy W

The only thing siezed up is me ...
mog

Removing the bonnet took me an hour.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

An hour to take the bonnet off? But then I looked at your profile. I hadn't appreciated how heavy an all steel frog bonnet is until I lifted the one on Rylan's recently acquired frog. But does it really take an hour to get it off?
Lawrence Slater

Shouldn't take an hour unless all the bolts are rusty. my sequence is:

lift bonnet, disconnect all the wiring, Prop bonnet open and remove the two upper bolts to the bonnet stays. Close bonnet. Remove the through bolts to the hinges under the dash. Get a 'friend' and lift the bonnet carefully away. Takes me about 20 mins.
Bob Beaumont

Bob - I bet your 20 minutes is a bit like Jamie Oliver's 15 minute meals: lots of prep beforehand.

It took me about a day to clear a space to put the bonnet down, and a week to find a friend.
Nick and Cherry Scoop

Nick, for those of us without friends even if we search for a whole week - one should be able to remove a frog engine without removing the bonnet. Disconnect the bonnet stay and open it, say "aahhh" and prop it open, as wide as it will go.
Guy W

I KNEW you would say that, Guy.

I guess I could've - but I wanted it off anyway. Also - I like to be able to roll the car as well as the crane - and I would not trust my propping.

BTW - I used rope at the front and bungees at the rear of the bonnet, and when I released the hinge bolts the bonnet just kind of sighed upwards. Beautiful.

If it's not a rude question, how is the frog going?
Nick and Cherry Scoop

Yes, well after a bit of a struggle, I pulled the engine and gbox without removing the bonnet, I reckon if all you have is a sprite, then a smaller engine hoist & leveler is the way to go as my kit was fouling on the bulkhead and rad scoop of the bonnet.
Thanks for the advice, now its out I can have some real fun & get the bay and tunnel clean as well.
mog

This thread was discussed between 10/02/2015 and 18/02/2015

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