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MG TD TF 1500 - Sump Light Gap

I ran some zip cord throw the dipstick hole and hooked up a lightbulb on the inside of the engine block. With the block upside down on my engine stand and no gasket, I did a dry fit of the sump. With the sump sitting loosely on the block there were light gaps in several places. I am confident that the engine block is flat and the aluminum sump has some distortion. I put in all the bolts and with very slight pressure less than 10 foot-pounds, virtually gaps disappeared. I think with proper gasketing this should not be an issue.

I welcome your comments.
Mort


M Resnicoff

Mort,
You MAY want to lightly dress the gasket mating surface of the sump. I would use a known flat surface like the bed of a table saw or a granite slab. I would suggest using a piece of 80 grit sandpaper with adhesive backing. I always have a roll in the shop, I used them for the "long board" finishing in body work. I would suggest sticking about two feet of the sand paper down, then gently rubbing the inverted sump on the paper with light pressure to give a good, flat surface to seal. Just a thought.
Be well,
David
D. Sander

Great idea above from David (of course). You could also lightly dress the areas over the bolt holes that are likely distorted with a fine wide file run lengthwise.
George Butz

David,
How wide is your role of adhesive backed sandpaper?
Mort
M Resnicoff

Mort,
It is 2 3/4" wide.

D. Sander

David,
Since I got my TD six years ago, I have spent very little time down in the basement in my workshop. A little while ago I was rummaging around in the basement and came up with the exact same roll of 80 grit adhesive backed paper.
See the photos below.
Thanks for the help.
Mort

M Resnicoff

Midway

M Resnicoff

Finish

M Resnicoff

Mort,
You do good work!
Be well,
David
D. Sander

I think I would have removed the pick up assembly to avoid the grit that most likely fell in during the sanding.
L E D LaVerne

It was most ikely up side down.
D. Sander

Fair enough.
L E D LaVerne

It is also worthwhile doing the same to the rocker cover. Been there bought the T-shirt!
Regards
Declan
D Burns

Nice work!
George Butz

On the final sand - dust with a color paint and lightly sand on your FLAT surface to make sure its all flat.
But looks good.

M Grogan

The sumps were cast from a cheap alloy. I wouldn't count on any of them being flat, or remaining flat. When I tighten the sump bolts, I do it in a logical order. Middle to outside, or one end to the other. Snug on the first pass, torque on the second. Never over-tighten. With the bolts flat and gasket / sealer in place, there should be no leaks from the mating surfaces.
Steve Simmons

This thread was discussed between 14/02/2017 and 16/02/2017

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