8 replies to this topic

[zeppiddy]

Hello.

I have a MG metro engine in my Mini at the moment. 1275. Twin carb. Straight cut gear box. Unleaded. There are added extras as well. I'm not the best person to know if i'm looking at an uprated part or not. I have always found this forum very handy for advice.

The problem i have is that when the car was last running (good few months now) there was suddenly a loud uncomfortable noise from what seemed the back of the engine about half way down. I have been told it is basically an engine out job just to find the problem. I don't mind that so much, as the engine has been out numberous times and i can do that bit... I was thinking some sort of bearing loose around the crank shaft. When i got the car it had basically been designed for being a track car but the previous owner had forgotten to mention this! Welded diff and a couple of other bits had to be corrected.

Is it worth stripping down the engine for complete rebuild with my very limited knowledge, obviously replacing tired parts and the oil pump. Or shall i just go about splitting the engine to get to the crank shaft. Is there anything that people here can suggest?

Are there any dvds or media that are prefered that are very descriptive on what condition the parts i'm looking at are in?

I appreciate any advice i can get... Cheers

[zeppiddy]

Hello.

I have a MG metro engine in my Mini at the moment. 1275. Twin carb. Straight cut gear box. Unleaded. There are added extras as well. I'm not the best person to know if i'm looking at an uprated part or not. I have always found this forum very handy for advice.

The problem i have is that when the car was last running (good few months now) there was suddenly a loud uncomfortable noise from what seemed the back of the engine about half way down. I have been told it is basically an engine out job just to find the problem. I don't mind that so much, as the engine has been out numberous times and i can do that bit... I was thinking some sort of bearing loose around the crank shaft. When i got the car it had basically been designed for being a track car but the previous owner had forgotten to mention this! Welded diff and a couple of other bits had to be corrected.

Is it worth stripping down the engine for complete rebuild with my very limited knowledge, obviously replacing tired parts and the oil pump. Or shall i just go about splitting the engine to get to the crank shaft. Is there anything that people here can suggest?

Are there any dvds or media that are prefered that are very descriptive on what condition the parts i'm looking at are in?

I appreciate any advice i can get... Cheers

 

[klivins]

Well, soon enough there will be plenty of people who will tell you the damage must be assesed and repaired as soon as possible.
Look at me, I was in the same boat as you couple of years ago and opened the manuals, the internet, and dived into my engine bay single handedly. Was it worth it? Depends. It was cheaper, but took considerable time and considerable winging from my missus.
You said engine was already out so why not again? You will need to buy, beg, or borrow some precision tools if you don't own them, and/or use services of local machininist anyway.

[KernowCooper]

I suggest you get a workshop manual and have a read of the sections and decide if its beyond your skill set / tools, then ask for any help you need, there may even be a member near who can offer advice/help

[Alex_B]

I would personally pull the lump and rebuild the lot, you will learn a lot and also its very satisfying! Plenty of help on here and I think there is a step by step walkthrough thread done by a member on here

 

I am a bit puzzled by a welded diff however! It is a very common mod for rear wheel drive cars in the drift community but I cannot think of any positives for one in a front wheel drive car, infact im surprised it went round corners! as its an odd mod the rest of the engine could be a little suspect so a full rebuild would be what I would do for peace of mind 

[KernowCooper]

I suspect the welded diff was for some form  of off road/grass racing, would have been a interesting drive for sure on the road

[Alex_B]

I suspect the welded diff was for some form  of off road/grass racing, would have been a interesting drive for sure on the road

I have since done some research and its quite common for track use, I wouldnt want to do it to a mini diff as I have had one 'splode on be before in my piddly 1 litre but I can see the benefits of a welder on the track 

[KernowCooper]

Is it allowed in grasstrack ?

[Alex_B]

Im not sure, I dont know the grass track regs, I just did some searching on general fwd welded diffs :)