1500 engine rebuild

[maddy]

I'm going to pull the 79' 1500 engine soon and need good instructions on rebuilding it. Haynes doesn't quite cut it. I have rebuilt a couple of engines years back, Chevy and Ford, but never an MG.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[JPSmit]

what are you looking for specifically? It's an easy rebuild as it is a simple engine.

Thrust bearing are the PITA of the 1500's

take lots of pictures and keep everything in order but we can certainly talk you through.

Someone else will come along and tell you what gaskets to get.

for me the hardest part was reinstalling the timing chain, mostly because I didn't take it apart.

 

[maddy]

I’m looking for tolerances, specs, torques, procedures and the likes.

 

[SilentUnicorn]

This is the reference i used- i cant believe the price!

https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/COMPLETE-...T0Q3aRECOQ3aBIN

you will need a conversion gasket set and a lower engine gasket set.

Pretty straight forward If you done other engines then this will be a piece of cake.


m

 

[RichBall]

This is not so much a guild as just some good information on the 1500

https://www.totallytriumph.net/spitfire/engine_building.shtml

Spitbits in California is a good source for 1500 parts that many of the other suppliers don't carry. I used them when I needed some large manifold hold down ears. Good price and fast shipping.

https://www.spitbits.com/

Are you still running the ZS carb? I have a couple good references for tuning and rebuilding if you’re interested.

Rich Ball
'76 Midget
Everett, WA

 

[Morris]

One thing I did not do when I rebuilt my 1500 that I regret was replace the stock cam with an early Spit cam. The stock cam on a 1500 is installed without bearings. I am told, the early Spit cam bearings will fit right into the stock journals in the 1500 block. Spitbits has a great deal on the early spit cam:

https://store.digitaloutlook.com/Store/showdetl.cfm?&DID=63&Product_ID=18993&CATID=154

You will also need to get these bearings:

https://store.digitaloutlook.com/Store/showdetl.cfm?&DID=63&Product_ID=18993&CATID=154


If you do not want to go this route, you may also consider having your machine shop bore your block for custom bearings. I have no idea how much this will cost. And I would not recommend you have just any machine shop attempt this procedure.

 

[dklawson]

You've already gotten a lot of good advice above. The only thing I would like to add is that you may want to parallel this post in the Triumph section of this board. As was suggested via the posts above, the Midget 1500 is a Triumph engine and you're likely to get lots of good advice from those in the Triumph forum. In particular you'll find information on pinning those thrust washers in place.

 

[maddy]

I've read that 77 MGB rod bearings modified can help this engine. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
Thanks.

 

[maddy]

?

 

[jlaird]

On the street I expect stock is sufficiant.

 

[maddy]

I've got a turbo in my garage that may be going on it, thus the extra strength.