1949 MG TC Engine Rebuild and other stuff

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GregBurns
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Re: 1949 MG TC Engine Rebuild and other stuff

Post by GregBurns »

Seriously sweet looking engine though. Temporary set-backs only let you enjoy the final accomplishment that much more! :thumbs:
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Steve Simmons
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Re: 1949 MG TC Engine Rebuild and other stuff

Post by Steve Simmons »

VWNate1 wrote:I missed it ~ please detail how the rocker shaft pedestal got cracked ? :? .
Rookie move. I failed to ensure a spacer was in place before tightening a bolt. The top of the tower was bent, and as we all know cast iron doesn't bend very far before it fractures. I could have still made it work but time was not on my side at that moment.
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Steve Simmons
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Re: 1949 MG TC Engine Rebuild and other stuff

Post by Steve Simmons »

There have been complications getting the radiator rebuilt so the project has been on hold for the past month. Today I decided I couldn't take it anymore, staring at that engine ready to fire. So minus the radiator I topped up the fluids, adjusted the valves and turned on the key. Fuel then sprayed out of the rear carb all over the place. Opened the float bowl, messed around a bit and put it back. Turned the key back on and stayed dry.

Pulled the starter. Nothing happened. Spark was there, fuel was there. Hmmm... Pulled a couple more times and judging from the behavior of the engine determined the timing was off. Indeed, somehow I was 45'degrees off at the dizzy. This worries me because the dizzy went back on exactly as it came off, so the timing should have been dead on. Moved all the wires over one spot and pulled again.

VROOOM!!! :drive

I only ran it for a few seconds before shutting it down because I haven't broken in the cam yet and I want to do that with a radiator attached. The engine ran weak as if very retarded, so I'm praying that I didn't somehow miss by one tooth on the timing gears. I'll adjust the timing on the fly once the radiator is attached and the engine is running at 3K RPM during break-in.

Photo of the engine nearly complete. Still need new plugs and wires and a few little odds and ends...
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VWNate1
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Re : Lookng Good !

Post by VWNate1 »

3K RPM's sounds a bit high for cam breakin , it's what I use for the proper 60 second piston ring breakin though .

Can't you set the base ignition timing static ? I just did this the other day and was please it remained spot on when I checked it dynamically later .
-Nate
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Steve Simmons
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Re: 1949 MG TC Engine Rebuild and other stuff

Post by Steve Simmons »

Everything is new, rings, re-ground cam and lifters, etc. I actually read 3000 RPM in the Crane instructions from another cam.
Start the engine and immediately bring to 3,000 rpm. Timing should be adjusted, as closely as possible, to
reduce excessive heat or load during break-in. Get the engine running fairly smoothly and vary the engine
speed from 1500-3000 RPM in a slow, to moderate, acceleration/deceleration cycle.
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VWNate1
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1961 Morris Minor W/ 1973 1275 CC engine & gearbox

Ural Solo Motos , old Honda 90 CC Tiddlers
Location: Sunny So. Cal. , land of fruits , nuts & flakes

Re: 1949 MG TC Engine Rebuild and other stuff

Post by VWNate1 »

O.K. , Crane has changed their instructions then as they used to be quite clear about not over speeding the engine during that critical first few minutes when the cam lobes & followers get
' work hardened ' .

I always follow the cam tag's instructions over my 3,000 RPM / 60 second Piston Ring breakin procedure . :bow:
-Nate
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Steve Simmons
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1969 MGC GTS
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Re: 1949 MG TC Engine Rebuild and other stuff

Post by Steve Simmons »

Don't ask why it took three months for this to happen but I drove the car today. I guess that means the project is technically done but there are still some things I haven't finished, mainly interior work (new carpet and gearbox cover), u-joints (yeah I know they should have been done while the engine was out), rebuilding the rear wheels (did the fronts and spare over a year ago and then got sidetracked), etc. But that will come more slowly. At least the car is on the road, albeit without a bonnet and with a view of the pavement beneath my knees. :drive
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Re: 1949 MG TC Engine Rebuild and other stuff

Post by gorms68 »

Steve Simmons wrote:Don't ask why it took three months for this to happen but I drove the car today. I guess that means the project is technically done but there are still some things I haven't finished, mainly interior work (new carpet and gearbox cover), u-joints (yeah I know they should have been done while the engine was out), rebuilding the rear wheels (did the fronts and spare over a year ago and then got sidetracked), etc. But that will come more slowly. At least the car is on the road, albeit without a bonnet and with a view of the pavement beneath my knees. :drive

Sounds more like the Flintstone's TC :hammer:

Congratulations for getting the TC and Cedric back on the road.
Chris Gorman
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Larry Kluss
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Re: 1949 MG TC Engine Rebuild and other stuff

Post by Larry Kluss »

Time for my ride, Steve? ;)
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Steve Simmons
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Re: 1949 MG TC Engine Rebuild and other stuff

Post by Steve Simmons »

Larry Kluss wrote:Time for my ride, Steve? ;)
Give me a bit more time to get it sorted and we'll go for a jaunt through the countryside. In the meantime the other T is rearin' and ready to go. ;)
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