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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - 'A' Series Timing Cover

Hi,
Has anyone out there ever made aremovable plate on a timing cover for easy access to be able to adjust the cam timing?.
If so I would like to hear howyou did it and do you have any pictures of the finished item.
Thanks.
Peter King

you can do this with a belt drive conversion kit, but I've not seen it done on the original chain setup.
David (davidDOTsmithAT stonesDOTcom)

Thanks David
I need to do it on a chain drive as belts driven are not permitted in Historic classes.
Peter King

I would imagine it would not be too difficult to fabricate a removable plate onto the timing cover to allow access to the cam timing although I have never made one.

I suspect you are wanting to play about with the cam timing to gain a good understanding of different settings for A Series engines.. I too went through this process many years ago and decided that to keep rolling road costs down and gain knowledge of cam timing the only and easiest way forward was to build an engine with a vernier belt drive on the end. I did this and after testing all theories I was then able to remove the vernier and belt and fit normal gear set to what I considered best and comply with regulations.

Whatever you choose to do I for one would be interested in your observations and results so please report back.
Robert (Bob) Midget Turbo

http://www.speedwellengineering.com/tcoverpage.html
Trevor Jessie

But you left out this bit:
Speedwell Timing Cover: $295.00 exchange
David "ouch" Lieb
David Lieb

I wasn't suggesting he buy one. I just thought he might like to see a picture of one someone fabricated. ;)
Trevor Jessie

I dont understand why its so expensive...I mean someone just cut the hole out, got a 1 gallon paint can lid put some double stick foam tape around the edge and 5 sheet metal screws and gave it a fast coat of rattle spray can paint,,,,

seriously $295 plus your old cover...what am I missing

Prop....Send it to me, Ill do the above for ONLY $290, and because your a friend, Ill only charge you 1/2 the cost of postage and handleing...Prop
Prop

I think there is a reinforcement ring on the inside of the cover, and the outside is aluminum, so there is a bit of tedious welding. But, these guys are making these one at a time, so there is setup time factored into the labor costs. Still, I agree ... a little too rich for my blood.
Trevor Jessie

Hi Guys,
Thanks for the info on the timing cover mod, speacial thanks to Trevor and the other chap who told me about the photo in the midget Performance book that I intend to buy.I am thinking about just welding nuts on the inside of the cover as there is about a 4mm space between chain and cover. Unless anyone has a better idea I'd love to hear it.
Peter King

The advantage to the reinforcing ring is that you can get an even seal around the gasket. I'd spend the time/effort to make the ring (esp since you can not have a fastener behind the crank pulley.)
Trevor Jessie

I do have the Speedwell kit which I bought as a set of parts rather than a finished part.

Yes, the steel ring is there so you get a seal where the plate fastens to the tin cover. I thought about using just captive nuts until I realised why Tom used a plate.

The steel ring has to be drilled and tapped.

Having bought Tom's kit I did think about having a couple made myself - one to sell and one as a spare. I do have the aluminium chimney section as on my car I had a flat plate made that I had an AN weld bung welded onto since I was going to vent the cover direct into a catch tank and use threaded (Goodridge mostly) fittings and hose throughout my car.

Note a lot more thought goes into this than you might first imagine.

One day I might get a couple of steel rings made so I can have a spare cover and sell the other.

Tom's price is realistic given the amount of work that goes into making the cover.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

Hi
Further to modifying this timing cover, who is Tom?
Perhaps someone out there may also know the thickness and diameter of the support ring that I need to make.
Peter King

Tom from www.speedwellengineering.com

Given that he sells the covers, I doubt he will freely give you his plans.

I do not think it would be much trouble to make, but that is how most of my languishing projects start. ;)
Trevor Jessie

I have an older mini spares ali cover & belt kit, very nice, though the newer versions are all platic.
Brad (Sprite IV 1380)

Peter, you will have mail shortly.
Daniel Thirteen-Twelve

This thread was discussed between 13/07/2009 and 17/07/2009

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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