Alignment of gearbox filler

[MikeNash]

Greetings Comrades!
My gearbox filler point is just forward of the access hole in the floor making difficult to remove the cap and especially difficult to screw it back without crossing the thread. I wonder if its unusual, indeed, is my engine & g'box a bit too far forward.[frame][/frame]
This is the view taken facing slightly forward to be sure of seeing the cap.
Thanks for responses, MikeN.

[graham1957]

it may be the front engine mounting brackets which are the wrong way round, i had simlar problems a couple of years back, hope this helps,now can you help me? ive lost my ball?

[MikeNash]

Oh dear! I wonder if you're right. I didn't know the mounting brackets could go in back to front. I'll check it out.
Thanks Graham. (And it may explain why I've less room between the rad and the fan than I think I ought to have. Can't help with the ball, though.)

[les]

The filler plug is not central with the hole, so you may not have an issue.

[Trickydicky]

Mine is the same Mike, the amount of times I have scrambled about retrieving it from under the car after dropping it while replacing the gearbox oil........
I just start it off with a pair of long nose pliers then nip it up with a socket.

[MikeNash]

Hmm, seems that I may not have an engine mounting problem after all. But can one of our authorative Wise Old Men tell me if it is true as to whether the engine mounts can be installed so they affect the fore & aft positioning of the engine and gearbox?
Perhaps I'm not the only one to get it wrong!
Oh dear, MikeN.

[Trickydicky]

Mike, have you replaced the mounts recently? Does the prop shaft look as though it is out of position as it runs through the crossmember?

[MarkyB]

It is possible to install the mounts wrong, usually the gearbox ones.
I doubt that it is your problem, I don't think I've ever seen a Minor where the filler is perfectly central in the access hole, they weren't designed by computers you know

A long extension and socket is normally enough to get it out, some fag box foil* or thin plastic over the nut is normally enough to stop the filler plug falling out.

The chances are it is tighter than it needs to be, people seem to treat these as if they are the master nut that holds the whole car together and bust a blood vessel getting them as tight as they can.
In reality you don't want it to fall out, a gentle nip up is plenty.



* Haven't seen this for a while.

[les]

Yes don't over tighten, it's a tapered plug.

[MikeNash]

Well, thanks everybody for all your help. It never occurred to me that it might be possible to reverse the engine mounts, or if you did, that it'd make any difference. I'll get the Trav up the ramps, crawl underneath and have a good look.
You live and learn, MikeN.

[bmcecosse]

It's the engine towers Mike - not the mounts.... But if they were wrong way round - I doubt you would get the gearbox mounts on.. And there will be a BIG gap between engine and main crossmember - below the battery.

[MikeNash]

Well Roy, I'm beginning to see that all Moggies are a bit different and this may be how mine is! I'll get underneath and give it a good staring at to be sure but I doubt if mine's really wrong. The g'box filler cap has always been a bit forward, but after the new (i.e. ex-Roy!) engine with new engine mounting rubbers is seems more pronounced.
Anyway, once again thanks for all your advice, MikeN.