Morris Minor Owners Club

We've just removed the engine to sort out an oil leak, Lynda has noticed that one of the flywheel teeth is missing, I don't think this will be a problem, she wants to be 100% certain that it won't......

Opinions please!

Not a good sign! The whole tooth is missing - or is it just slightly worn ?

The whole tooth, the others all look in good condition.

Would look for another flywheel - or fit a new ring gear. Have you found a reason for the oil leak !

Yes, the oil pump cover was badly attached to the back plate with gasket goo. So is the one missing tooth likely to unbalance the fly wheel that much?

The oilpump cover is not a seal - there is a drain hole below into the crankcase. If one tooth is missing - then it will jar the starter - and then the next will break off and so on. Balance is not a problem.

While the engine is out and the flywheel is off, I think i would replace the ring gear too!

Drill a hole through the ring gear (front to back) and use this hole to crack the ring gear using a lump hammer and a sharp cold chisel. The ring gear should then be able to be persuaded off.

At this point put the flywheel in the freezer, and leave it there until it is down to temperature.

Heat the new ring gear, either in the oven or on the BBQ and get it as hot as you can so it expands. Remove the respective parts from the respective kitchen apperatus and place the ring gear over the flywheel and allow them to go to room temp. and they will lock themselves together

Make ure its the right way round!

Make sure its the right way round!

And make sure it's the correct ring gear for the engine. They are slightly different.