Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi, my recently installed 1275 has a rattly timing chain. I can buy a new chain, gasket and seal for 17 dollars US (which is handy since that's where I live!). My question is, how necessary is it to replace the gears as well, since that's a bit of a jump in price. I look forward, as I always do, to your responses.

Changing the chain on its own will be ok as long as the teeth are not badly worn. is it the duplex type or single row with a tensioner?

It's a 1974 1275 from a Midget, so I assume it's duplex. Did the duplex have tensioners?

No tensioner on the duplex as standard - although the later Mini tensioner set-up can be used with duplex. Are you sure it's chain rattle ? Not usually a problem with duplex - but then it's just possible someone has fitted a simplex set-up in the past. I would say either leave it - or go the full shilling and fit a complete new set with new sprockets. A new chain on worn sprockets will just be a waste of money.

I put a stethoscope on the engine, and the noise seems to be coming from the timing cover. However, I wouldn't describe it as a "rattle"-
but this is my first "A" series engine, so what do I know?