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Post by tonyhosk on Dec 15, 2023 23:00:57 GMT
Jonathan, that looks really really good -well done as well!
Is that a standard MGA inlet manifold with two small take offs as well as the large one?
Tony
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Post by jonnyb on Dec 16, 2023 9:37:48 GMT
Jonathan, that looks really really good -well done as well! Is that a standard MGA inlet manifold with two small take offs as well as the large one? Tony Thanks Tony.
The Manifold is 12H1398 which, I think, is early MGB. The carbs are HS4 with early MGB filter cans with the port on the front can to take the rocker cover breather tube. |
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Post by tonyhosk on Dec 16, 2023 23:32:01 GMT
Thanks - worth knowing.
Tony
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Post by vue from the north on Dec 17, 2023 14:54:10 GMT
its looks very nice the maroon engine / yellow ht lead combo, be a shame to fire it up & take it on the road getting it dirty, can i ask have you gone fully synthetic / semi synthetic or mineral 20/50 oil ? I'll be sticking with a classic 20/50 oil, unless anyone can persuade me otherwise! only reason i ask is i once was talking to an old boy derby way who rebuilt a mgbgt his view was old 20/50 & i said well its now a modern engine as its being re built with modern steel / technology shells big ends etc but he was not having it saying but the old tolerances etc. however imo its poor do when a good semi synthetic oil 10/40 is cheaper to buy than say millers 20/50 or castrol, |
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Post by jonnyb on Dec 19, 2023 15:30:22 GMT
Engine put in yesterday afternoon. Now going to enjoy Christmas then back to reassembly and start up. Happy Christmas everyone and a healthy New Year.
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Post by vue from the north on Dec 19, 2023 18:59:25 GMT
looks good the blue bay against the red block, all the best & will do it all again in 2024
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Post by canuck on Dec 19, 2023 22:05:31 GMT
Engine put in yesterday afternoon. Now going to enjoy Christmas then back to reassembly and start up. Happy Christmas everyone and a healthy New Year.
Well done Jonathan.  You don't hang about on this, Bravo!. A comment if I may? why did you choose to maintain the MG valve cover and not use the Riley one? A Happy Christmas to you and yours, and to all you lot actually. All the best for a fun and Riley 2024! B |
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Post by jonnyb on Dec 20, 2023 10:33:18 GMT
A comment if I may? why did you choose to maintain the MG valve cover and not use the Riley one? HaHa a great question and one I considered! The short answer - It is an MG engine with an engine number 16GC...... so why put a Riley plate on the Rocker Cover? The longer answer - I am an engineer who started life in the aircraft industry with all that implies re: traceability, authenticity, non blame open culture etc etc. I guess in some ways I am a perfectionist but certainly not a purist. Anyway that's enough of that, off to the pantomime now to shout with the granddaughters, Yippee.
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Post by jonnyb on Jan 10, 2024 17:15:44 GMT
Today was start-up day. So having checked timing and sparking at plugs, cranked the engine to get oil pressure, connected fuel pump all was ready. My wife was sitting in to do the start while I checked for leaks etc. Engine started, with some choke, and we settled in for 15 minutes of running at 2-2.5k revs to bed in the camshaft bearings. Good oil pressure, no evident leaks, nicely up to normal temperature with heater working nicely. Great! It wasn't ready to tick over without some choke so after shut down I lowered the jets 2 flats and screwed the slow running screws in a bit. These are HS4 carbs that I refurbed intending to put them on the original Riley engine so no surprise that they might need tweaking.
On the next run a big cloud of white exhaust, obviously coolant! So shut down, plugs out to do a compression test. In bar 13.5, 12, 12, 12 so clearly a problem with no1 cylinder. Also while cranking for no2 cyl test a small amount of water was expelled from no1 plug hole! Three possibilities: Head gasket blown, crack in head, crack in block. Obviously head has to come off to investigate.
Discussed problem with engine builder who offered to take the car in to take the head off and investigate but I said I was happy to take the head off and then we could consult, so that is the plan. So this afternoon I have removed carbs manifolds etc etc and now ready to remove the head. I'll be doing that in next day or two when I get time. Aren't 60 year old cars fun!
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Post by jonnyb on Jan 10, 2024 19:46:52 GMT
Whipped the head off this afternoon. No doubt coolant was getting into no1 cylinder, piston top and exhaust valve washed clean. |
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Post by canuck on Jan 10, 2024 21:38:24 GMT
Bugger!! however I was reminded often by my dear Dad, it is the journey to enjoy not necessarily the destination.  FWIW the #1 cylinder appears to have had a good head gasket seal, if anything I would question the seal at #2 & #3? You have the correct type cylinder head gasket so we shouldn't be able to blame it. Was this torqued adequately? FYI later MG B cylinder head torque specifications were upped, (factory service memo) to 55 lb/ft versus the published 50 lb/ft. Interesting and I will follow B |
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Post by tonyhosk on Jan 10, 2024 22:56:04 GMT
Bugger indeed. How incredibly frustrating and vexing for you. Fingers now crossed!
Tony
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Post by jonnyb on Jan 11, 2024 16:27:51 GMT
Yes at the end of yesterday my wife said "what a day you must be very frustrated" I just had to shrug and explain that I enjoy solving problems otherwise I wouldn't have a 60 year old car! As Bruce's dad said "lets enjoy the journey".
Tomorrow I am taking the head to be pressure tested again but I think it will probably be a case of new gasket with more torque on head bolts and try again. I emailed PB who said they use 54ftlb for head nuts so similar to your figure Bruce. I think Chase probably used 50 when they put the head on.
Won't it be sweet when I eventually drive it again!
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Post by ozieagle on Jan 11, 2024 20:54:03 GMT
Hi Jonny, I'm with you on how frustrating, but enjoyable old cars can be. A couple of comments, about your carbs. The engine needs choke to start, then reduce to about 1/4" sticking out, which really is fast idle. If you turned the jets down your engine will run rich. I spent months trying to dial in my MGB's carbs, including buying and fitting new jets and needle valves. Eventually found that one of the new jets was a 0.1", instead of 0.09". I then thought I'd replace that one with one of the old jets, and bugger, one of the old jets was wrong, too. No wonder I couldn't dial the carbs in. Two correct jets and all was good. From the experiences I gained I wrote a how to for adjusting the twin carbs, and attach it herewith. Note that this article only describes the tuning, not the mechanical setup, which is in the MGB manual, which is available here: www.dropbox.com/s/wu7auix0ofcxnz8/MGB_Workshop_Manual.pdfJust a note about our engines, they don't like running cold and they don't like running on choke, which is why one pushes the choke in as soon as the engine starts. Herb |
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Post by vue from the north on Jan 11, 2024 22:07:32 GMT
re the carbs side of this story does anyone still balance them with their ear & a hose pipe, i saw an old boy do this once & found it fascinating watching him do it as i had never seen it done b4 like that , listening to the carbs one at a time !
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