Morris Minor Owners Club

How Often has to be changed the timing chain?

Usually lasts the life of the engine, but some owners change the chain when the rattle gets too annoying!!

On modern cars the rubber timing belts have to be changed at regular intervals, but because the Minor has a metal chain, it really only needs replacing if a fault occurs. Or as Cam says, and as is the case with many, the rattle becoming irritating...

Its also worth upgrading to a duplex chain at the same time if you do intend changing it as they run much quieter for much longer.

Got to agree with Kevin, it is well worth fitting a duplex timing
chain kit while you are at it. The only small amount of work
needed it to replace t wo bolts with countersunk screws.

The only small amount of work needed it to replace two bolts with countersunk screws

These are available at most Mini specialists. Although I got mine from Staffordshire Minors........

Kevin wrote:Its also worth upgrading to a duplex chain at the same time if you do intend changing it as they run much quieter for much longer.

I'd definitely agree with this. I bought my kit from MGM with all the bits in. All I had to buy extra was a decent countersink for the replacement screws.

Getting the cover oil-tight again is the worst part of the job! Use gasket- goo to start with and make sure the metal faces are nice and clean and oil-free before applying.

and DO NOT overtighten the small screws! The little 7/16" (11mm ;-) ) ones are tapped into just the end plate and will strip sooo easily
Avoid the risk to use a socket wrench as it is easy to forget which size you are doing up (There are 1/2" and 7/16" and the 1/2" should be done tighter)

There are torque settings in the Marina/Ital manual which I used. Oh and when cleaning the chain cover you will usually find that the bolt holes have been 'tightened' out of shape and are pulled forwards, so use a vice, hammer and the such like and knock them back flat. Otherwise it will leak badly!!

It's important to completely clean all the surfaces and get them free from oil and use gasket goo on either side of the new gasket. Oh and replace the front crank oil seal while you are at it and smear a bit of oil on the seal before you put the cover back on.

I wonder if elongated flat washers, similar to those used on the sump flange, would work on the timing chain cover to minimise distortion and distribute the tightening load from the bolt head over a wider area?

I wonder if elongated flat washers, similar to those used on the sump flange, would work on the timing chain cover

I think it is meant to have those (certainly does on on the small screws)

Well, there are reenforcing ribs either side of the holes, but it looks like there might be room:

http://potteries.mmoc.org.uk/Members_Ca ... 412_03.JPG

I think I used flat washers or spring washers when I last did mine. I can't remember really.