Morris Minor Owners Club

I want to replace the cork half-moon gaskets that fit into the sump under the crankshaft as every thread I have seen says that they are far superior to the original cork ones. However no one mentions where you can get them from! I've "googled" 'til I am weary and not a single MG spares place that I can find mentions them. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I also have a problem with an oil leak that appears to be coming from the oil pump cover; however my engine backplate appears to be different from any other in that it is made from a sheet of 6mm steel and has a recess milled into the back (engine) side and the oil pump cover is inserted from the back, there is no indication of how it is supposed to be sealed and there is no sign of it ever having been soldered. Any ideas what/where this backplate comes from and how the oil pump cover is supposed to be sealed ?

Not hard to find ! http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/Shop/ViewP ... dexID=1375 Items 166 and 167. These will need slight cutting down to fit a 948 or 1098 sump. And they REALLY are not necessary - just fit cork seals correctly - they work. The oil pump cover does not leak - there is a drain hole below the oil pump, so any oil in that area drains back to the sump. Of course - you may have high back-pressure in the crankcase (due to worn engine) - and this will blow oil/fume out from all orifices!! Make sure one of the engine breathers is connected directly to the intake on the side of the carb........ To check for pressure - hot engine idling - remove the oil filler cap and rev up. Is there a plume of smoke/fume ?

Thanks, just had a look at the Moss website, it says those seals are for the 1275 engine, are they OK to use? Engine not worn, in fact is in rude health and no crankcase breathing problems! The workshop manual clearly shows the oil pump cover as a potential source of leaks and I'm pretty sure that's where my leak is coming from.

Yes - the 1275 seals need to be cut down. There is NO oil in the area of the oil pump - except that which is within the pump of course! Assuming the pump has been fitted to the block with a gasket - it can't leak........ If oil is coming out from the jiggle pin in the bellhousing - it's getting past the crankshaft labyrinth seal - caused by crankcase pressure .