Engine side covers

[minidave]

Hi folks, Just wondering if any of you fine people could maybe give me some advice. I'm in the process of painting the engine on my '62 saloon & I have noticed that the cork side cover gaskets I got from Morris Minor Centre B'ham appear slightly too big for the covers. I have changed many of these in the past & from memory they fitted perfectly in the recess on the cover. Has anyone else had this problem ? Also there is a number stamped into the rear of the cylinder head adjacent to the heater tap which reads 'MDUL 058' - any ideas what this could mean ? Any help would be much appreciated

P1150396.JPG (59.17 KiB) Viewed 2010 times

P1150395.JPG (54.16 KiB) Viewed 2010 times

[philthehill]

If you have concave covers they should be fitted with the orange rubber gaskets.
You look to have concave covers.
If you have convex covers they should be fitted with cork gaskets.

As regards the number on the head they may be a previous reconditioning company id numbers.

[philthehill]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Mini ... Swpc1eV7ET

[minidave]

Thanks for the reply, I had forgotten there were convex & concave covers - it's been a good few years since I stripped an A series.

[alloriginal1owner]

Hi all,

my Milly is on the road again – after nine years, yeah. But after the first long distance trip those covers are leaking. I'm not sure, if these are the concave or the convex ones. Can anybody help me, please?

Thanks, Frank

[philthehill]

The covers pictured use the flat cork seals with a fibre washer around the bolt..

[alloriginal1owner]

The covers pictured use the flat cork seals with a fibre washer around the bolt..

Thanks, Phil!

[philthehill]

https://www.morrisminorspares.com/engin ... 39-p830309

The later covers have the return lip on their outer edge and use the neoprene seal and a neoprene washer & steel cup for the bolt.

[mike1864]

Just for the record, does the block care what sort of cover is fitted? (Though it sounds like the lipped/neoprene variant is better)

[philthehill]

You can fit either the cork type covers/seals or neoprene type covers/seals as the block is the same.
The covers with the return lip/neoprene seals are more resistant to distortion when the centre bolt is tightened.
So long as care is taken in fitting the flat covers they are and will be perfectly alright. I would not be rushing out to purchase a pair of later covers for the neoprene seals.