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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - One for the ‘parts’ guys(?)

The starter motor pinion cover that attaches to the bellhousing – anyone have one that could measure the internal diameter for me please so that I can see if I can get any sort of grommet to cover the open aperture from the missing cover.

I was going to make up a cover from a card template using metal from a spare baking tray but I couldn’t even feel the thread for the screw and as it started to rain and I’m outside (I don’t have a garage) I gave up and lowered the car off the axle stands to leave the work for another day/week/month/year(s).
Nigel Atkins

Nigel,

Do you need a cover ?

The hole in the bell housing is about 44mm not sure its exactly round.
Fixed with 3 cheese headed machine screws approx 56mm between centres.

I measured an old Morris Minor ribcasebox but I'm sure they are the same.

If you want the cover you are welcome to it.

R.
richard boobier

Nigel,

Remembered you have a type 9 ? if so ignore the above.

R.
richard boobier

Hi Richard,
thanks for your reply. I've got a T9 but the bell housing looks like the standard Spridget/Minor/etc. one so I guess the cone(ish) shaped cover used to be on it.

Thanks for the offer of the cover but I doubt I could fit the cover with the bell housing in the car as the screws look like they would be a pig to get at especially with the cover in place. I was hoping now to find a rubber grommet to just perhaps trim and push fit.

Those cones are no longer available so you might want to keep them with the box or sell them separately.

Cheers.

Nigel Atkins

Nigel,

Assume therefore you have an aftermarket Hi torque type starter which does not protrude through the bellhousing.

Have you tried using one of the rubber jacking bungs from the cills - It seems to fit the ribcase hole AOK + a little silicon or bitumen mastic to aid security.

I'm very unlikely ever to get around to clearing my junk out - the box is scrap - gears shot, casings OK so if you want it let me know.

R.
richard boobier

I made a cover from flat aluminium sheet but can't recall if I fitted it to the bellhousing before or after installing the engine and box. Maybe you could use duct tape?
Daniel Stapleton

Hi Richard,
I've got a 5-speed conversion from FL and it looks like the cone was missing from then. I've never noticed it missing before and in fact in my mind's eye I though the dome shape was part of the bellhousing cast (you wouldn't want me for an eye witness!).

You're right I have a hi-torque starter which was originally fitted a few years before the g/box conversion.

I've ordered a 44mm grommet now - don't worry I won't blame you if it's not an exact fit as I couldn't be bothered to jack the car up, again, crawl in the dropped oil, again, only to find I couldn't get near enough to get any kind of measurement.

I wish I had thought of using the jacking point cover whilst I was under there last time but the hole looked a lot bigger to me.

So I'm grateful for your help and offer, thank you, if I need the cone as a template I'll let you know, thank you.
Nigel Atkins

Hi Daniel,
I might be wrong (again) but unless the cover is pre-made, and even if it is, it would be a real PITA job to try to fit it with the engine/gearbox installed in the car. Same with trying to get gaffer tape on. Of course there's been more than one occasion when the engine and g/box have been out of the car and it would have been easy to do had I noticed before.
Nigel Atkins

A belated thank you to Richard, "thank you".

I bought and fitted a sill jacking point bung plug a while back, it fitted well, I put it in dry and it seemed a good fit so I left it as it is.

If it does come out it's cheap enough to get another and silicone seal it in.

I love simple solutions like this.
Nigel Atkins

This thread was discussed between 12/10/2016 and 30/01/2017

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