Timing chain cover

[Classiccars]

Is it possible to work out if I have a kidney shaped cover or the other sort without removing the radiator.Are there obvious difference I could go from please.

[les]

That’s interesting, I thought they were all the same, perhaps not then. 1098 ? Ah I think I know what you mean, there is a different type, with a tensioner. Not sure if they’re all A series. I’d have thought you could see without too much difficulty.

[philthehill]

Here is the kidney shaped timing chain cover with breather/oil separator canister on the front face.

Timing cover 4.JPG (1.27 MiB) Viewed 852 times

Note the additional bulge in the top left for the tensioner which the Minor timing chain cover does not have.
Here is the same without the breather/oil separator.

Timing chain cover 4.jpg (46.13 KiB) Viewed 848 times

Here is the Minor type timing chain cover with lip seal which fits from the outside. Timing chain covers of this type can be found with the seal fitted from the outside or inside. Note that there is no bulge for the tensioner as there is no separate tensioner fitted to the standard Minor engine only the two tensioner rubber rings.

Timing cover 6.jpg (68.29 KiB) Viewed 845 times

All of the above timing chain covers are fitted to the 'A' Series engine. The timing chain cover with timing chain tensioner bulge are normally fitted to the 'A' Plus engine.

[philthehill]

This is the simplex kit, the tensioner (top left) fits into the bulge of the timing cover.

Simplex tensioner kit.jpg (54.02 KiB) Viewed 844 times

You should be able to determine what timing chain cover you have from the above photos and comparing what you have fitted.
What you will not be able to determine is what is under the timing chain cover with tensioner bulge without removing the timing chain cover.

[Classiccars]

Thank you Phil great info but can you explain why there may be a difference as you advise.I thought it would be as you show with the tensioner etc if it is as I think the kidney shape

[philthehill]

The difference may be that the simplex chain/gears/Sprockets have been replaced with a duplex chain.
When the duplex chain is used with the kidney shaped timing chain cover the dimple underneath the timing sensor has to be removed as well as the timing sensor mount bracket. The timing sensor bracket and dimples have been removed from the above kidney shaped timing chain covers. If there is a breather attached to the front of the timing cover the baffle plate around the hole to the breather/oil separator the on the inside of the kidney shaped timing cover also has to be removed as there is not enough room inside the cover to accommodate the duplex gears.
The tensioner can be used with the duplex chain. The tensioner takes out any slack on the return side of the timing chain. I always use the tensioner with the duplex chain.
Below - the baffle plate (around the hole to the breather/oil separator) which has to be removed. You can also see the dimple at the top left of the photo which also has to be removed otherwise it will foul the duplex timing chain.

Timing chain cover 2.JPG (1.63 MiB) Viewed 799 times

Below - baffle plate removed

Timing chain cover 3.JPG (1.3 MiB) Viewed 798 times

Below - tensioner used with adjustable duplex set up

timing chain tensioner (1).jpg (1.18 MiB) Viewed 796 times

[philthehill]

Below - kidney shaped 'A' Plus timing chain cover with breather/oil separator attached as fitted to my 1380cc engine.
Note the shape of the top edge below the toothed belt water pump pulley. That shape is the giveaway as to what timing chain cover you have fitted.

WDF engine 9.jpg (66.74 KiB) Viewed 789 times

[Classiccars]

Thank you Phil I have the cannister with breather pie that hangs out of the bottom of the engine.O guess whatever is found inside needs to be replaced with the same you are saying.I guess when it's off I will post some pictures to confirm.Thanks for now.