1275 rebuild

[Hendy1201]

Hi

Right, I'm a complete novice at this but am gathering together bits for a 1275 rebuild. I don't have much yet, got an MG midget engine and gearbox. The engine was running when removed a few years ago and turns over by hand. At that time the gearbox was rebuilt. It has no ancillaries. I also have an MG Metro cam which after researching seems to be the best production cam made. I am on the look out for an HIF44 and a MG Metro inlet manifold. I know the MG metro big valve head is the one to go for, but I'm a little worried about the cost of one at the moment, how high on the priority list should this be?
Any advice on improved parts/things I'm going to need would be greatly appreciated as I'm hoping to do the rebuild myself with a bit of help from some of my Dad's friends who have worked on A-series engines as mechanics (unfortunately my Dad's a stone mason and I'm a dental student with little experience of engines!).
I know it's probably been asked before (I've trawled through hundreds of pages of threads on here) but I'm struggling to put all the information together. Thanks very much.

Will

[billlobban]

Best thing to do if you intend to modify your engine is buy a copy of David Vizards book - its the bible.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - Vizard is good - buy a copy - always plenty on ebay. If you are SURE it's an MG metro cam (post up a picture) then yes - that's the one to fit. Do check the condition of all the cam followers - if in doubt - fit new. The big valve head can wait to later - easily fitted in an hour. But cam swap can only be done with the engine upside down ! Obviously a decent exhaust manifold and big bore system is going to be handy - but again - not essential at first - can be fitted later.

[Hendy1201]

Hi

I already have a copy of the Vizard book and have been reading it. Thanks for the advice, I think the big valve head can be a future project unless I get an offer I can't refuse. I was going to put some pics of the cam up, but it won't let me, could be my internet playing up!

Will

[bmcecosse]

Should be straightforward to post a pic - just click 'choose' then go to the picture in your drive and double click it.

[Hendy1201]

Here we go, my internet was playing up and wouldn't upload the pictures, all sorted now.[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Well - it is indeed the 'famous' MG Metro cam - but some of the lobes look a bit marked ? Do you access to a digital caliper ? Would be worth measuring the heights of all the lobes to see if there is any wear.

[Hendy1201]

I don't have access to any here (still at uni), but will when I'm home in two weeks time, what measurements should I be looking for?

[bmcecosse]

Just measure the height of each lobe - just to be sure there is no undue wear.

[IslipMinor]

Will,

When changing a cam, you should fit a new set of cam followers, whether the cam is new or used.

Before doing anything to the engine, have you checked the bores/pistons and the crank main and big end bearings? Again, if all the journals are good, it is well worth fitting new shells and thrust washers as part of the engine rebuild.