Morris Minor Owners Club

Well the flywheel saga is over so a new heading. More dismantling including cylinder head. I was interested to find a couple of threaded plugs already in the oil ways, one I’m having difficulty removing, unfortunately not in all of them have been done.

That corrosion around the water pump aperture looks quite bad. Will it affect the gasket sealing?

Stephen

Yes it needs looking at, there is an area where the gasket can seal but it could be better ! I think it will be ok.

The corrosion around the bottom and sides of the water pump aperture is quite normal and does not effect anything. There is a hole through the casting/corrosion which can be cleaned up by passing a suitable sized drill through it.
There can be at least 7 oil gallery plugs fitted if required. One at either end of the horizontal oil galleries (4) and for the oil pressure relief valve bypass gallery (2). At the outer end of the head horizontal gallery (1) which feeds the rocker gear.
I would suggest that those oil gallery plugs which are proud of the block face should be machined down flush with the face unless the rear casing is recessed. The rear horizontal oil gallery plugs fitted to the inline 'A' Series engines have to be machined flush with the rear face of the block to enable the rear engine plate to fit.
Has the box to block attachment been upgraded to larger studs/bolts?

The plug in the first picture has been taken out and not screwed back in fully. The other is being stubborn ! I’m becoming more confident that the previous rebuild, apparently by a reputable person, has been done ok, not only because of the two threaded plugs but also the block has been countersunk for the studs, and the head looks in good order. I’d like to see if other plugs, if any, are fitted but wonder if it’s now necessary to remove the gearbox to see, as I originally planed. I'll be speaking to my friend on Saturday.
Removing the camshaft is next. The primary gear is straight cut as I think is the gearbox.
The bolts have been replaced with cap head Phil. I haven’t yet looked closely in that area to check if they are next size up.