Morris Minor Owners Club

Well I have had the bits for quite a while, just needed the motivation.
Timing chain was rattling like a good un. Got hold of a Mini chain, tensioner and timing cover [ cheers Roy]. While I was at it thought I would fit an SW5 cam as well. All going well, but when I fitted the cam there is about 3/16" end float on cam with retaining plate tightened up. Is this OK?
Ian.

You need to fit the driving sprocket and tighten up the nut - this is what controls the cam end-play - the plate is trapped between the cam front bearing and the drive sprocket hub. When i last did this I still had 45 thou end play - had to machine the 40 thou off the drive sprocket hub inner face to get it right.

So are you saying there should only be 5 thou end float?
Ian.

Yep. But that's with the drive sprocket fitted.

Well, got all front end refitted. New chain, Mini tensioner and Mini front pulley with damper. Just waiting for camfollowers and vacuum unit from ESM so I can finish job and see what difference it all makes.
Ian.

I'd be interested to know what you think of the SW5 cam - I assume you're running a 1098? I might be considering one for a future project...

Me too! Interested that is - not considering. However - general view is that it's an 'emissions dodger' cam for 998 Minis - and since there is no emissions test for any Minor - it doesn't matter. The SW5 is very 'soft' on timing - but has high lift. The 1098 can pull a wilder cam than the 998 - the MG Metro should be ideal for a road car. Ian - if you are thinking of the 940 head on this engine then watch out - because the SW5 has more lift it won't be enough to sink the exhaust valves by 40 thou. So you will likely need to go for block pocketing.

I was wondering though what sort of idle and power curve the MG cam gives on a 1098, given that it was designed for a 1275 and I don't want something too lumpy or weak low down. People on the mini boards seem very impressed with the SW5, but then again the metro cam is a lot cheaper.

Anyway I mustn't thread hijack!

Feel free Chris. cam endplay sorted now.
Ian.

The MG cam will be great in a 1098 - which has even longer stroke than a 1275, and so is inherrently (Sp?) more torquey anyway! MG cam 'dies' at about 6000 (to try to contain warranty claims on the MG Metro!) but this is fine on a 1098 where you don't want to be going too high on revs anyway. I spend some time on Mini forums - and after initial enthusiasm, quite a few of the lads there soon get fed up with their SW5 cams - and change up to something more exciting! The 288 (old BMC 544) cam timing in various guises is very much the favourite - and although it will work in a 1098 (and also 1275 and overbores) where the long stroke again helps to tame the 'caminess' - I honestly think it will be a bit too wild and lumpy for most on this board. It is absolutely perfect for a Mini (like my 1360 ) where the engine gets it's nuts revved off!!

Well Chris and Roy, have finally got everything back together. Bearing in mind I haven't fine tuned timing or carb yet, it pulls like a train. The hill that I have to go up out of our village, before it struggled in third and had to drop down to second. Now its accelerating in third. Fantastic.
Ian.

Great result! Looks like you haven't lost any low-down power which is good.

Hill climbing ability is something I would be looking to improve - I was struggling in 2nd going up a steep country lane today. I'm intending to build a full 'performance' engine (if the insurance will let me ) with perhaps 65bhp. The bits I have lying around so far are:

HIF38 carb
Oselli Torquemaster inlet
12G295 head
1098 engine (in need of crank regrind + possibly rebore)
Huge K&N filter (on order).

So I'm on the look out for either an MG metro cam or SW5.
I'm also thinking about the exhaust, as the maniflow LCB systems look superb but are rather dear.

The 295 head is good - a 940 head is SO much better! I changed from a well modified 295 to a slightly tidied up 940 at the beginning of this year (on a 1098) and the difference was very noticeable. Much better acceleration and pulling power up hills. I am still on the standard 630 camshaft - yet it pulls beautifully. If you find a source for low cost exhaust manifold - let me know please - mine is still the original type and must be losing me a good 5 bhp!

Hope I am not hijacking thread - I have just removed my 1098 following a cylinder head gasket fail. The engine was burning oil as well so I figured time for a block overhaul.

my standard cam has some fatigue fractures on two lobes, so I want to replace it - I understand the MG metro cam is good - do I need the metro oil pump as well? If so will it fit straight onto the minor block/endplate without machining or adaptors?

I am running a 12G206 head (similar to the 295) and feel there is more potential to unlock by using a sportier cam.

Max

Yes you need a matching oil pump with the 'slot' drive. Depends what pump you buy - some bolt straight on using the existing bolt holes - some need new holes drilling and tapping - but no adapter needed. beware if buying a slot pump - there are two lengths of drive - the short one is for 948/998/1098 engines - the long one is for 1275 engines. Good news is - the slot pump is a much better pump. Your 206 head can be improved of course - has it been skimmed to get the compression ratio right ? But the 940 head is a whole lot better if you are doing a major re-vamp - and doesn't need any skimming.