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MG MG Y Type - Engine Rebuild, Melbourne

Hi, after an extended break (due to kids, house, numerous relocation)I am back into working on a YT purchased by my parents in the early 80's.
I've just stripped the motor down and about to commence its rebuild. I would love to hear from some Y owners in Australia who are happy to share their experience in rebuilding their engine (and rest of the car) especially where they had work done and good suppliers of parts.

Thanks

Scott

SW Tanner

Hello Scott,
The XPAG engine is pretty robust and survives well if a few basic things are done during the rebuild.

1 - Get the crankshaft crack tested
2 - Replace the little end bolts with Unbrako bolts
3 - Ensure water jacket is free of corrosion
4 - Ensure bleed holes are in place behind welsh plugs in water bypass conduit (RHS of block)
5 - Fit new pistons & rings
6 - endure all rotating parts are balanced
7 - Use the correct Metric bolts & nuts in all places
8 - Install a lip seal in the timing cover
9 - Install a new camshaft & followers
10 - reface rockers
11 - Correctly lock wire the mains & big ends !.

You should farm out the machining, but with a few tools you can do the assembly yourself if you are careful.

Cheers

Tony

PS - Are you looking for a machine shop in Tasmania or Melbourne ?.
A L SLATTERY

Hi Tony,

Thanks for the reply.
I plan on doing the assembly myself, have done a number of engines from scratch.
I'm looking for a machine shop in Melbourne, as I'm relatively new to Melbourne keen for some recommendations as there are so many too choose from.
For some reason, even though I have updated my details the site still shows me as being in Tasmania (haven't been there for a few years now).

Thanks

Scott
SW Tanner

Hi Scott,
If you are looking for a good machine shop I highly recommend Ian Shugg at Crankshaft Rebuilders out in Blackburn, Ian is an old schoolmate of mine and has done lots of XPAG engines over the years including casting new cranks. Ian helped me with my TD XPAG engine rebuild back in the 70s. We used JP Pistons from Adelaide, they make an excellent 3 ring piston with thin compression rings ideal for XPAG engines, don't use 4 ring pistons with the oil ring in the bottom of the skirt, XPAG engines like a bit of oil up the bores. I reringed our engine a few years ago, the pistons were still in good condition after many years of service. I have also used JP pistons in the B Series engine in our YT.
The other piece of advice courtesy of Ian might surprise you, and that is use single valve springs unless of course you plan on racing. Ian will advise you on what springs to use but they will dramatically reduce cam follower and camshaft wear. The engine will still rev to 5500/6000 rpm before valve bounce which I have found is plenty for motorkhanas and sprints.
When we were all newly married with kids and no money another little trick Ian helped me with was to fit oversize valves. He machined down some used Holden valves that also had oversized stems allowing him to ream out the existing valve stems. A very cheap rebuild and the inlet valves are still in the engine!!!
Say hullo to Ian for me, I don't see him that often now that I am in WA. Good luck with the rebuild!
Cheers
Richard Prior (Richo)
R A Prior

Sorry, I meant to say "ream out the existing valve guides" not stems!
Cheers
Richo
R A Prior

G,day Scott,

I can also recommend Paul at Gown Hindaugh in East Burwood. An excellent operator (as is Ian Shugg of Crankshaft Rebuilders in Blackburn, as recommended by Richo). Paul has machined several motors for me over the years including a Mustang V8, (OK, nobody's perfect!) MGB, MGY, Morris his pricing is fair, he's very reliable.

Give me a call sometime if you like as I may be able to help,you with MGY contacts and parts suppliers around Melbourne

Neil

PS I am slowly assembling a register of current MGY owners in VIctoria, if you'd like to be in it, give me a yell.
N Wakeman

Thanks Richo and Neil,

Really appreciate the feedback and information. Great support for a project that still seems sooo far off from ever being driven.

Scott
SW Tanner

This thread was discussed between 03/04/2018 and 05/04/2018

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