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MG MGB Technical - engine/gearbox installation

I think I can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hope to accomplish a milestone this weekend by installing the engine and od gearbox on the '72 bgt. But I'm a bit confused by the motor mount installation sequence. The plan is to install the RH rubber mount to the chassis bracket and leave the LH rubber mount off until the last moment. Engine brackets are already installed. Would appreciate any tips or advice.

Gracias,
Tom
Tom Custer

I attach both engine mounts to the engine. Set the engine down carefully on the mounting pads. Align the holes with a drift and then button it up.
I prefer to fit the engine and gearbox as two units, but there's arguements both ways on that.
Fraser Cooper

Shims are used between the rubber mounts and the chassis brackets to get the engine to sit at the correct position in the 'V' of the chassis brackets so the holes line up for the bolts to be inserted. Tapping down the chassis side plate of the rubber mount a little to get the holes to line up is ok, but you should not have to lift the engine to get the holes to line up as this means the rubber mounts are in shear and tension instead of compression and will soon break.
Paul Hunt

Fraser and Paul, thanks for the info. I do have the LH shim to install. Am curious about the clutch hose and slave cylinder. Is it best to install the slave to the gearbox before installation? Likewise with installing the hose to the chassis bracket first?

Tom
Tom Custer

You can bolt the slave to the gbx, but the hose to bracket comes last, after the hose is tight on the slave. Otherwise you get twists and tension in the hose. After the hose is through the bracket and the big nut/lockwasher started, start the steel pipe in the hose, then tighten the big nut, then final tighten the pipe.

FRM
FR Millmore

FRM is correct of course, but it is a lot easier to work on the chassis bracket end of the flex hose while the engine is out. A very definite recommendation is that if taking the engine out then while it *is* out free-up the pipe and bracket nuts even if you don't think you are going to be working on them.
Paul Hunt

Is it best to install the starter after the engine/gearbox is installed? Would this leave a bit more room to tighten up the flex hose nut on the chassis bracket?

Tom
Tom Custer

Yep!
And further to Paul's quite correct observation, I always remove the hose nut and apply antiseize to it and the pipe threads and the inside of the sleeve nut when I have the engine out. Can really make a difference if you ever have to remove them with engine in.

FRM
FR Millmore

Which can be next to impossible with the engine in place. RAY
rjm RAY

This thread was discussed between 03/11/2009 and 06/11/2009

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