21 replies to this topic

[Fordy]

I have put together a parts list for an engine rebuild I have going as a project. The engine that I have is an A+ series 1275 from a MG Metro, with a 12G940 cylinder head, and the gearbox I am waiting to find a better cast number to replace the current one I have. I am looking to build a fast road engine, have all/95% of the parts to return to standard, and looking to keep to the 1275 bore if possible.

 

Some of the parts I have just put a rough price next to, so I had an idea of price. Also the cylinder head I am looking to have machined, but not yet found someone who can do that for me but I have also added this onto the list.

 

I am open to any suggestions or idea from people, i.e if I have missed something (which I probably have, as new to the Mini game), or the vernier gear I was unsure which to go for and if it was worth the extra £60 for the vernier timing gear.

 

Also I have just kept to the Mini sport website for all the parts just because it was easier, will do some shopping around on price before I actually purchase.

 

Part                                                Part number                       Price

Kent 276 camshaft kit                    KENMD276MKB                  £236.71

 

Cam bearing set                             N181/3                                £17.52

 

Crank bearing                                 ----------------------                 £23

 

Thrust washer                                 ----------------------                 £12

 

Steel centre main strap                   CMS13                               £12.23

 

Minisport light vernier                      C-AJJ3327                         £100.34

duplex timing gear and

chain set

OR

Minisport light duplex                       C-AJJ3324                         £43.24

timing gear and chain set

 

Timing chain tensioner pad A+        12G26210E                        £8.34

 

Aldon distributor 25D/45D                ALD100AY                         £140.77

 

Cylinder head machining                  ---------------------                 £??????

 

Crank re-grind                                   ---------------------                 £??????  

[Dusky]

You ll need the Right tools, cam bearing needs to be finished too by a machine shop.
Gasket sets ofc too.
A dti to check the cam timing and then an offset woodruff key to set it to the Right timing

There will be more but im at work now

[Fast Ivan]

Pistons
Rebore
Oil pump
Water pump
Gaskets
Cam followers
Rod bolts

Centre main not needed
Get a standard duplex kit, spend money elasewhere
What do you want doing to the head? Standard rebuild or worked?
Probably want to rebuild your carb

[Fast Ivan]

For a more comprehensive list of what I have done see here

http://www.theminifo...a-1310-rebuild/

[MrBounce]

Agreed that a centre main strap is not necessary for your type of engine spec. Also the standard duplex will be more than adequate - and you won't need the tensioner either. I would recommend getting the bottom end balanced whilst it is at the machine shop. Get the block properly cleaned too - it is amazing (and scary) to see what builds up in the oilways of an old engine. When you take your engine to the engineering shop, ask them to measure the bores for you as they will be able to advise accordingly. They will also need the replacement pistons if it needs a re-bore.

 

Don't forget sundries such as cam lube (is it included with the kit?), engine building paste such as Graphogen or similar and as stated above, all the necessary gaskets (and gasket sealant where needed) to build the engine. You will certainly need new core plugs and oilway plugs too. As an aside, I bought an engine stand for mine - I found it so much easier to a) move the block around and b) keep it clean. It's more difficult to constantly throw it around on a wooden bench but also there's the danger of accidentally picking up bits of bench (mine had old flaky paint on it). Talking of paint, take the time to paint your block whilst it is on the stand/bench. 

 

Finally, TAKE YOUR TIME. Do a dummy build first to check tolerances. Make sure everything is spotless.

Edited by MrBounce, 26 March 2016 - 04:31 PM.

[Dusky]

Put moly washers under the main cap bolts. Calver has an article about it, works beter than a mainstrap in most cases

[MRA]

You ll need the Right tools, cam bearing needs to be finished too by a machine shop.
Gasket sets ofc too.
A dti to check the cam timing and then an offset woodruff key to set it to the Right timing

There will be more but im at work now

 

the camshaft bearings rarely need to have any further work unless you drift them in, if you pull them in to pace then 99% of the time you are ok and they are within spec

[MRA]

Put moly washers under the main cap bolts. Calver has an article about it, works beter than a mainstrap in most cases

moly ? 

 

fit any main-strap and you will have a bill of £200 for line boring and honing

[mk1leg]

save your money and get a half engine ready to put on box £1100     http://www.minispare...units.aspx?1005

[skoughi]

save your money and get a half engine ready to put on box £1100     http://www.minispare...units.aspx?1005

Looking back now this is what I should have done. I've probably spent more doing it myself on parts and machine shop bills. Also seeing as it's from Minispares I would expect it to be assembled correctly, unlike my attempt!

[Dusky]

Put moly washers under the main cap bolts. Calver has an article about it, works beter than a mainstrap in most cases

moly ? 
 
fit any main-strap and you will have a bill of £200 for line boring and honing

ARP part nr 200-8530
Chromoly washers


With regards to the cam bearings, I always heard they needed scraping. But I ve never fitted them myself, it was always my "machining man" who did it :)

Edited by Dusky, 26 March 2016 - 08:52 PM.

[ACDodd]

Have your engine inspected and measured up. From this you can deduce the work needed and the parts required to effect a proper rebuild.

Ac

[MRA]

 

 

Put moly washers under the main cap bolts. Calver has an article about it, works beter than a mainstrap in most cases

moly ? 
 
fit any main-strap and you will have a bill of £200 for line boring and honing

ARP part nr 200-8530
Chromoly washers


With regards to the cam bearings, I always heard they needed scraping. But I ve never fitted them myself, it was always my "machining man" who did it :)

 

 

Lol, scraping and brown paper polishing is very last Century

[MRA]

Remove the gallery plugs and get a thin bottle brush and clean out the galleries several times, use paraffin and keep on brushing until it runs clean.

[Fordy]

Thanks for all the replies, I have looked at the more comprehensive list you had and can see a few things I have missed off!

 

In terms of the cylinder head I am looking to have work/modification such as: cleaned up, porting, convert to unleaded, new valves, springs, collets, caps... and skimmed (undecided on compression ratio). Any idea of what sort of price I should be looking for this work to be done so I don't get 'ripped' off?

 

Cam lube does come with the kit, the other sealant, etc is something else I will add to my list.

 

Also will take the advice on the timing chain, and spend the money elsewhere, most probably the pistons, so are these something I will 100% need to replace? Even if I don't rebore?

 

And lots of cleaning required!