MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MG Y Type - Oil in distributor

I have what I assume is a worn bushing problem with the distributor on Y5095. The cap gets coated inside with oil with just a few minutes(or less) of running, leading to rough running, etc. I pulled the dist. and poured oil out of it so I could find the number. It matches one listed in the Moss catalog so it looks like I can get the 2 bushings for it, but it looks like someone has done this before because the gear pin looks like it was pounded in and filed off. I'm certain some of you have done this before - any advice, any pitfalls to watch for? I'm thinking of having this little job done for me since I haven't done it before. Will new bushings solve my oil gusher or is there something else to look at too?

Paul Briggs - Trying to keep my Sweetie on the road!
Paul Briggs

Paul,
Your problem may well be a worn bush but have a look at the worm groove in the shaft. Is it spiralled the right way. I have seen this before where a clever Dick has rebuilt a dizzy with bits from others that look the same but revolve in the opposite direction. Oil will then be pulled up the shaft instead of pushed down. Also check it is not caused by sump pressure because the Rocker Cover or Side Plate breathers are blocked.
Cheers Richo YT3208.
Richard Prior

Richard - you make some excellent points. Looking over the dist. carefully I can't detect any play at all in the shaft. It would take some pressure to move as much oil as I am talking about! Also, the screw covering the oiling point under the rotor is missing. I will investigate the venting right away as now I am more suspicious of that than I am the bushings! The saga continues...

Paul
Paul Briggs

Well, the oil in the distributor problem is solved.(Fingers crossed and rubbing my lucky rabbit's foot) When I pulled the engine sideplate to check the vents I found that a PO had installed a solid sheet of gasket material across the inside of the plate, thus isolating the vents and I assume the resulting pressure forcing oil up the distributor shaft. After replacing the gasket a drive to one of the Sonic burger joints in Wichita for a club event confirmed that the distributor was staying oil-free and the car ran well. Unfortunatly, the engine now leaks badly at the bottom of the sideplate, a cast aluminum aftermarket item, which appears to warp when it warms up. I am now trying a thicker cork gasket, so we shall see. I should know by now that if you touch one thing, two other things act up!
Paul Briggs

Paul,
I am glad to hear you have resolved the Dizzy problem. But bad luck about the sideplate leak. One more suggestion. Cut your own gasket out of neoprene rubber, these last for years on sideplates and rocker covers. You will need to make enquiries from suppliers which is the correct type to use and the thicknesses available. One other suggestion, when you cut the gasket be generous with the size because you will tend to get a little slip as the plate takes up. Once you have a good gasket you will find you can use it over and over again and virtually never need to replace it. Cheers Richo YT3208.
Richard Prior

Paul;
When you make the new replacement gasket try this method of sealing. With a tube of High Temp RED silicon gasket maker. (GM uses this in place of gaskets). make a 1/8" bead all around and let it cure for at least 1/2 hour. Then after it is partially hard you can install the plate for the last time. It will follow all the contours of the warped plate and should seal it well. You must let it cure prior to installation.I usually use gasket contact spray on one side of the plate to hold the gasket in place and then make the bead of silicon.
Sandy Sanders
conrad sanders

Conrad, good idea. A bit too late for this time, however. There was to be a BIG car show today(it was rained out, unfortunately), so I had to try my thick gasket repair last night: 1/16 inch cork/rubber composite material plus Ultra Blue Permatex on either side. Started and ran it up to temperature today and it held(this time anyway). I will definitely file it away as the next step up if this try fails. Thanks.

Paul
Paul Briggs

This thread was discussed between 18/06/2004 and 21/06/2004

MG MG Y Type index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG MG Y Type BBS now