Thread: 51 MG restoration.

Clean, tight, and minimal side play using the Vv’s as clearance checkers.
I ended up using the watch lathe to clean up their shafts after glass beading the crud.
Took them up to a 2400 grit micromesh finish and they feel very smooth in their guides.
No stem seals, but the exhaust Vv’s do have a small stepped bushing on their tops. They too are very clean with little wear on them.
I will decide once she’s flipped over, but as viewed from the top, she shows very normal wear. Even the cam lobes look really clean still as viewed through the lifter holes. Lifters themselves, also really tight and in good shape. No mushrooming or obvious flat spots.

Dry for the 5 spd then committed to the seal up.
Now to finish the conversion and await the engine gaskets so I can get this put back together.

Spring seems to be setting in quite well. Time to get busy.
Cheers men.

Just think Mike - In 6 years time, you'll get to start all over again. With the snow and the salt, yea maybe 5 years. I know you'll look forward to this again!

Yeah, Our Boy has a ways to go. Yard/pool/etc is upon him. No way would I make it for the season!
Mike prolly will....

I have been beating on the Model A pickup forever now. Fixed it up in the mid 90's. Have done very little along the way.
Suddenly little things in the hundreds. Details are what gets me.

I figure this will be the last big rebuild this car and engine combo will need till the year 2100.
Flywheel and new pressure plate are at the machine shop getting mounted and balanced.

Turning my attention to the bottom end now.

Found an upgraded rear seal that adds a viton seal to the original scroll design.
Will give me much better rear oil protection and not affect the original crank design.
While that’s on order gonna pull my crank check end play and clearances. Might order new bearings but based on how little wear I’m seeing in the cylinder sleeves, she really may need nothing more than gaskets and timing chain etc.
figure spring came early but the yard is still a month away from being ready so I’ve got 30 days to see it I can get this back in good nick.
Here’s to a productive weekend gents.

So how will you adapt the trans? I guess original flywheel, Toyota disk and throwout bearing. Which pressure plate?
Hydraulic system, adapter plate? Rear mount?
Gaaaaaa!


Get it on!!

That shiny new bell housing is a custom casting that marries to the tr3 engine.
Original flywheel refaced, and threaded for a (smaller) TR6 pressure plate with new clutch pack.
New quartermaster hydraulic clutch throw out system that eliminates my secondary Lucas cylinder and also reduces peddle travel to 1.5” total travel. Uses my original peddle mounted clutch still, and I need to add a travel restricting stopbolt on the firewall.
Rear Toyota mount has 2 adapter brackets that connect to my original rear mount locations, supposedly.
If any issues there, grind and weld solution, which is why I opted to pull the entire floors and everything out. Leave lots of room, in case I gotta get creative.
Figure the only real mod will be to the tunnel, but I need the tranny in the car before I know what I’m in store for there.
This weekend, it’s all inspecting the bottom end and ordering the parts.
If things progress well, I should be putting her back together in April.

Custom Bell Housing cast out of aluminum I presume?

Yessir.

So what disc? seems unlikely that the Toyota splines would be same as a TR3? So an intregal slave cylinder/thowout bearing?
That bellhousing. NOW I am wondering about a pilot bearing/bushing? ..Crazy the things they make!