16 replies to this topic

[iDemonix]

I'm learning at the speed of light, but still don't know a lot. I've not done massive work on cars so I'm learning as I'm doing, if anyone has a yellow bible for sale for cheap let me know ;)

Anyway, I'm painting my new MG 1275, before it goes in the car. Today I stripped off the dizzy, alternator bracket, oil pressure switch, oil filter + pipework and the starter. Inside the engine, the clutch(?) has a patch of what looks like surface rust on it, kind of how it looks inside the head.



It's not all like that, just a section.

One other question, I can turn the engine over by hand but not too easily, but it becomes easier, then harder, then easier, then harder - all whilst hissing - am I right to assume this is the compression of the pistons moving up and down the cylinders making it hard to turn over?

Any info welcome as I'm eager to learn.

One other question, what's this little bracket for? It doesn't seem to hold anything but looks like it should.

[Carlos W]

The thing you can see there is the flywheel!

If you take the plugs out does the engine turn over easily and evenly?

[Jordie]

turning easy n hard is most likely compression. take plugs out and try.

flywheel in the hole. surface rust not a.major issue if clutch is working ok.

[Jordie]

ps. brkt holds battery cable going to starter motor

[iDemonix]

Thanks guys! I'll take the plugs out and give it a spin tomorrow!

As for the clutch, no way of testing it sadly.

Final question: Is it worth me painting the coil or are they cheap enough to just replace?

[Carlos W]

You can get some quite bling covers for them!

[maggies_minder]

You can get some quite bling covers for them!

a stella can!

[Carlos W]

You can get some quite bling covers for them!

a stella can!

I prefer strongbow!

Or a redbull can

[iDemonix]

Can someone quickly fill me in on coil's What do they actually do? I fancy a new one as most of the engine bay will be new, are they interchangeable? And what's the difference between ballast and non-ballast?

[Jordie]

uses electric to make an high voltage output.

theres diagrams on wikipedia etc. its got a coil inside and oil fillled for cooling

ballest ignition uses two sources for power. one islive when cranking to give a stronger spark to aid starting then switches to other wire once running. dklawson explained this on here recently in detail.

[iDemonix]

Thought so, ty. What about ballast and non-ballast? I like the gold Lucas one's everyone seem to has, but they're non-ballast, how do I check what type I've got atm?

http://minispares.co...|Back to search

[Jordie]

what colour wires do u have on coil positive. or in your wiring loom if no engine is fitted.

might be able to tell off the yr of car presuming its unmodified.

[iDemonix]

Too tired to go check, but the car is a 1988 Auto City E. I can get the colours in the morning.

[charie t]

As the engine is on the floor, why do you not just quickly pull the clutch out to inspect it? Its far easier on the floor than in the engine bay.
The rust on the back of the fly wheel in your picture is not on the clutch.

[iDemonix]

Yeah that was my bad, still learning

I'm not experienced with mechanics and pulling the clutch out seems beyond my abilities, plus I wouldn't know what to look for. Surely the only way to truly test a clutch is to drive the engine?