Morris Minor Owners Club

This timing cover was supposed to be from a 1098 Midget. It came with a rubber seal in the crankshaft hole, shown here removed. But notice that the seal presses in from the front, rather than the rear, as on the 1098 Minor and 1275 Midget covers. I'm curious what cover this is. Is it perhaps the 948 version with the felt seal? If so, why did it come with a rubber seal, and could a rubber seal be used successfully?[frame][/frame]

2A 937 12G2506. Mk1 Mini timing case, circa 1959? I can only find one reference plus a note that the last few thousand MGA cars in circa 62(?) had similar outside seal thingies. Not much info, I'm afraid.

Wow...that's not what I was expecting. I guess this cover won't be much use to me, then...or to anyone else. Hardly any market there.

I wonder how a Mk1 Mini/MGA cover made its way to the States? Hardly any Minis or As were sold here, as far as I know.

They might just fit whatever was available on the production line that day. If the seal is identical to the ones that fit from the inside then just use it as it is. Makes it easier to change the seal if it fails, after all.

You sure it's from an A series engine ? The felt seal was definitely fitted from the inside.

Might be worth posting a pic on a UK Mini website where there are bound to be some enthusiasts who recognise it. Googling shows pics of an identical part so there are some more out there.

That's not a bad idea. I've asked the eBay seller if I might return it (since it's not what I was looking for), and if not, I'll experiment with the Mini scene. Thanks!

The timing cover is BMC 'A' series and is suitable for the neoprene lip seal.
It makes no difference whether the oil seal is fitted from the inside or outside. What is important is that the seal is put in the right way round.
Phil

Indeed - but I suspect not originally from an A series engine. And does the inset seal housing clear the oil thrower ring ok ?

I can confirm that the timing cover in question is correct for an 'A' Series as I have just been given one which was fitted to a 948cc A H Sprite engine. The neoprene oil seal is fitted from the front.
Unfortunately the engine number on the sprite block has been removed.

The original 948 engine in my 1962 Minor also had this style of cover.