Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi All
So I've finally got the engine out of Basil.
The clutch needed investigating (turns out I've caught it just in time ) so now's a good time to replace the 1098 rear plate with the correct Smooth case one.
The person who put it all together some 20 odd years ago must've had shares in Red Hylomar.

Not only has the Heater Tap got it in place of a gasket, and the tap itself looks to be assembled with it... but the Rear Plate Gasket is covered in it on both sides, all around the Oil Pump/Core Plug area.

So, as the workshop manual mentions nothing, some advice please from those who are experienced in putting the Rear Plate on and off....

Dry gasket, a smear of oil, or sealant (if so which is your sealant preference) ?

Absolutely no need for a propriety sealant.

Just lightly smear the gasket on both sides with general purpose grease.
The grease keeps the gasket supple, helps it bed in and helps with sealing.
I use nothing else and my engines are oil tight.

philthehill wrote: ↑Sun Jul 09, 2023 12:08 pm Absolutely no need for a propriety sealant.

Just lightly smear the gasket on both sides with general purpose grease.
The grease keeps the gasket supple, helps it bed in and helps with sealing.
I use nothing else and my engines are oil tight.

Thanks Phil, I had a feeling that would be the answer.

Edited this morning to add the following update...

I also decided to take a look at the timing chain while the engine was out.
Turns out it's already got a Duplex Chain fitted.
I wonder if that's connected to the "Cooper S type forged rockers" you noticed when I originally posted some photos back in 2019

The application of red sealant has been even more liberal on the Timing Cover.

Would the same 'smear of grease' rule apply there, as I did notice the workshop manual said 'Care should be taken not to damage the timing cover gasket...'
I had to use some brute force to un-stick this one
.

philthehill wrote: ↑Sun Jul 09, 2023 12:08 pm

Just a little name drop for Phil as I think by my having edited the last post, he might not have got a notification.

Does the 'Grease the Gasket' rule apply to the Timing Cover

Thanks

A light smear of grease to all 'A' Series gaskets and cork seals is all that is required.

Brilliant Phil
Thanks for the advice as always.

Given the amount of goo on the timing chain cover I would check it's flat before putting it back on too.

kevin s wrote: ↑Thu Jul 13, 2023 8:37 am Given the amount of goo on the timing chain cover I would check it's flat before putting it back on too.

Yes absolutely. Over the years people over tighten covers like this when they leak and often distort things causing them to leak more rather than realising there is a misalignment or the gasket is not properly seated. Then they resort to goo of one form or another.

Thanks for additional comments about the cover, already cleaned up and checked that earlier, and it's fine.
After lunch today, I'll be carefully cleaning up the block surface.

Latterly BL fitted an additional strengthening plate to the bottom of the timing chain cover to help seal/hold the timing chain cover to the front plate.
I do not know if the additional BL plate is available NOS or S/H but here is a similar plate.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/125957263378 ... R7yH0PWpYg
I always use the later (rubberised ?) gasket.
http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... o%20search

Thanks Phil
I've seen mention of those strengtheners before.
I'll see how it goes, everything has cleaned up nicely and the cover is very flat on the mating surface.