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MG MG Y Type - Engine alignment

The engine on my YB does not appear to be properly aligned. This is noticeable because when you insert the starting handle it does not line up with the dog on the end of the crankshaft. It's about half an inch out. I'm confident the car is straight. Is it likely to be a problem with the engine mountings? Has anyone resolved a similar problem? I was wondering about loosening everything off, undoing the exhaust and steady bar and trying to resettle the engine on its mountings. Then again, is it worth the aggravation, given the limited number of times I'll need the starting handle? Advice welcome!

Pete
P Willows

In which plain is it out - vertical or horizontal and is it too low, too height, too much to the left (as you sit in the car) or to the right Peter?
Paul Barrow

Hi Paul. It is horizontally out, to the right when viewed from the driver's seat.
P Willows

Is the check strap from the water pump over tight?
Paul Barrow

You mention the engine mountings - in the front engine mount, has a metal plate, or both, become unbonded from the centre rubber block.
R WILSON

is that the bit the workshop manual calls the engine control link Paul? Could be worth a look. What would be the best way of checking if the mountings have become unbonded - jack up the engine a bit and see what happens? The front mounting on mine is different to that shown in the workshop manual - there are 2 circular rubber pads. I have tried to photograph them, but tricky to get a good photo. The picture attached is looking down on them. Has anyone seen these before?
Thanks
Pete

P Willows

Yes Engine control link. And yes that front mount is nothing like the standard and I think that may be a lot of your problem right there actually.

Paul

Paul Barrow

Paul
Pete's two bobbin mounting should still work unless one of them has collapsed a bit.provided the two bobbins are the same hight and strength of the normal one piece mounting all should work,the engine might rock a little easyer thats all. If it was me i would slacken off the 4 nuts a little give the engine a bit of a rock try the handle in the dog leave the handle engaged and do the nuts up. I will look this morning for my spare front mouning to get the correct hight
John YB0362


JC Jebb

a new mounting block hight is a fraction under 34mm or including the studs 54mm
John YB0362
JC Jebb

Just had a thought, bobbin type mounting normally have studs straght up and down,where as the proper mg mounting has offset holes so the crossmember would have had to be drilled to use these round mountings. If the new holes are not in the orrect position the engine would be out of line, a possible answer would be to slot the holes slightly to the left.
John YB0362
JC Jebb

correct mounting
John YB0362

JC Jebb

Many thanks for those comments and the photo. It looks like I need to investigate those front mountings.I will report back, although it may be a while as I am looking at various jobs concurrently!
P Willows

Just measured up my chassis for you for referance
The mounting holes in the crossmember are 3 1/4" apart and are offset 7/16" to the left side of the car from centre
If the holes for your bobbin mounts have been drilled centre to the frame this would drag the engine to the right by 7/16" which is about how far yours is out
willy
William Revit

Thanks for that Willy. I think I'll order a new front mount as that seems much the most likely suspect. I'll probably replace the rear mounts as well while I'm about it since I happen to have the floorboards up at the moment so I have access to them. I'll let you know how it goes but progress slow at the moment due to work on the house!
P Willows

Hi Paul

I’ve only just seen this thread and have a spare front engine mount if you want it, you could compare my YB engine mounting dimensions with yours for reference.

Regards

Mal
M.C Perry

Hi Mal. Many thanks for the offer. I have bought a new engine mounting and it seems to have done the trick in terms of the engine alignment - so thanks to all those who have provided advice on this. I now also need to replace the rear mounts, which are wrong at the moment. Nice to hear of another YB in South Yorkshire by the way. I live in Sheffield - do feel free to get in touch.
Pete
P Willows

This thread was discussed between 17/01/2019 and 08/03/2019

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