Morris Minor Owners Club

I'm having difficulty undoing the the big nut that holds the main timing gear to the crank. Anyone got hot tips?
I've tried using a 33mm socket on 1" drive bar with extension, but it's not budging. I'm a little worried about damaging the timing chain. Throwing some heat at it did occur to me.
Thanks Grant.

Hmmm - the timing gear is not held to the crank with anything - it is however held to the camshaft with a shallow nut ? Or are you struggling with the crankshaft bolt - that holds the damper to the crank ? Usual method for that - after knocking back the locking washer - is to have the arm of the drive bar resting on the nearside chassis leg - and jab the starter - using the black button under the bonnet so it can't actually start. But these bolts CAN be ferociously tight - I have had many a battle with them on Mini engines - and beware it is all too easy to bend the end of the crankshaft. If it is however the camshaft nut - it usually responds to a sharp short shock. Don't worry about the chain - you should be renewing it anyway. If all else fails (gasps of horror from the fainthearted) use a chisel and a heavy hammer. You can sort out any damage on the nut afterwards with a file - or get a new nut!

bmcecosse wrote:Hmmm - the timing gear is not held to the crank with anything - it is however held to the camshaft with a shallow nut ? Or are you struggling with the crankshaft bolt

Thanks BMC.
It's is the shallow nut.

bmcecosse wrote:Usual method for that - after knocking back the locking washer - is to have the arm of the drive bar resting on the nearside chassis leg - and jab the starter

The engine is one I ripped out of a marina van from a paddock. So unfortunately it's not in the car.

bmcecosse wrote:Don't worry about the chain - you should be renewing it anyway. If all else fails (gasps of horror from the fainthearted) use a chisel and a heavy hammer. You can sort out any damage on the nut afterwards with a file - or get a new nut!

I'll give the local BMC agent a ring and see that he has a nut and chain, before attacking with a chisel.

-Regards Grant

...I'll give the local BMC agent a ring and see that he has a nut and chain, before attacking with a chisel.
-Regards Grant[/quote]

Obviously better provided for with BMC after sales service than we are in the UK, not including our own "BMC" in that comment of course

Well - you certainly want a new chain - is it duplex or simplex ? The nut will be fine - just dress it with a file. If simplex with tensioner - be sure to get a new 'pad' for the tensioner too! And gasket and oil seal of course too!

bmcecosse wrote:Well - you certainly want a new chain - is it duplex or simplex ? The nut will be fine - just dress it with a file. If simplex with tensioner - be sure to get a new 'pad' for the tensioner too! And gasket and oil seal of course too!

It's a simplex with tensioner. True, will need new pad. The engine is going to be a rebuild. I'm just getting a beetle on at the moment as, the workshop at work won't be there for too much longer. Other wise it's going to be a nibble away at it jobbie.

Wah-hoo! She's off. Lots of heat, a chisel & hammer.
Happy, happy, happy....
Thanks guys

Surprised it needed 'heat' - it shouldn't really be THAT tight!

I've had to use heat and lots of brute force to free off a stuck cam shaft nut.

Amazing! It spends it's life bathed in oil. They usually just spin off with fingers after an initial 'nudge'.

bmcecosse wrote:Amazing! It spends it's life bathed in oil. They usually just spin off with fingers after an initial 'nudge'.

True, but how long was the car sitting in the paddock Surprisingly "things" seem to be in very good shape.

-Grant.

Good news then!