Morris Minor Owners Club

hey team, is it possible to change the shells on the crankshaft with the engine still in place?
cheers ben

mogatron wrote:hey team, is it possible to change the shells on the crankshaft with the engine still in place?
cheers ben

Big ends yes! Mains I had a go at, but even removing the thrust washers to allow the crank to come forward, couldn't persuade the rear one in situ. And thats the one most likely to need replacing!!
No big problem to pull the engine off the gearbox though, and if, like me, you are doing it single handed, then you can do the whole lot with the engine(and radiator panel) in the confines of the engine bay- just find a lump of chipboard to span across the void and roll the engine onto it [frame][/frame]

I thought I'd managed this in the past but I'm assured here it can't be done.
I would look for something stronger than chipboard unless it is of work surface thickness, to rest an engine on, that I was going to be underneath.

No chance of doing the mains in situ. Centre main is OK. Front main is timing cover and timing gear off and rear main is engine out...

Hi Mogatron,
I managed to change the big-ends and the centre and front mains from beneath lying below after dropping the sump. No big problem although its all a bit close for those like me wearing vari-focals.
Regards, MikeN.

It's almost always a waste of time/money changing shells. The exchange cranks complete with shells are such a great bargain from Bull Motif - just go that route and fit an exchange crank. With a new oil pump - and checking to see the oil filter spring and plate are present and correct, the crank should then be good for another 100k miles!