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Bob Buxbaum

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Haven't worked on any LBCs since I sold my TR8. A friend has asked me to resolve some issues with a 15,000 mile 74 Midget to ready it for sale. Among other things, the engine is coming out. My question is about how detailed some commercial shop manuals are. Does the Haynes Manual have engine specs for measuring everything? I'm an experienced mechanic but will not go beyond teardown without specs to measure crank journals, bores, etc. Why am I removing the engine? Well, the cooling system is EMPTY, and the crankcase is FULL, and it isn't just oil !!! So, we'll be hoping for a head gasket, but may be looking at a cracked block or head. YTBD. The car is in otherwise extraordinary, has NEVER been stored outside, so we are hoping for just a head gasket and no crank damage.

If the Haynes manual is not sufficient, what should I be looking for?
 
My Haynes manual has specs. The Leyland manual is very good also.
 
Bentley is best but I believe that you can find the info on line or by asking here.:smile: What year is the car and is the engine original to it?

Kurt.
 
The Haynes is known to be filled with errors and omissions. I would proceed with caution. The Bentley is the reprint of the OEM shop manual.
 
Gerard said:
The Haynes is known to be filled with errors and omissions. I would proceed with caution. The Bentley is the reprint of the OEM shop manual.
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Good heads up. I have been working on BMWs for a decade, and have grown to question things in the Bentleys. But compared to Chiltons .............................
 
I like to have them all! Haynes (my perception) is the best of the after-market bunch; the Bentley reprints are great; and the original factory manuals (with their incredibly clarify of drawings) are just that much better. Considering the cost/value of the car, picking up a couple of manuals over time is something you can't go wrong doing. Later, Doug
 
Thanks for the input. This is a one time project, so between the Haynes Manual and good old Google, I should be fine. With lots of time doing mechanical restorations on a GT6 and TR8, plus endless repair work at all levels on 80s to 2005 3 Series BMWs, the wrench spinning experience is good and my shop is well equipped. Fortunately, this is a super low miles completely solid 74 Midget, so this far nothing is rusted together. Even getting the downpipe off of the exhaust manifold was easy(ish). Sadly, crappy repairs in the past plus the ravages of NON-use has resulted in leaking drive train seals, empty brake system, and all the coolant living in the oil pan. Fortunately, parts are cheap, and Victoria British is 30 minutes away.

The goo in the pan was drained at a temperature of about 50 deg F and was the thickness of honey !!! The engine comes out today !!!
 

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to reiterate Bob, especially as you have experience with cars and, since, this is a one off, I am sure we would be more than happy to provide you with the info you need, scans etc. just let us know.
 
JPSmit said:
to reiterate Bob, especially as you have experience with cars and, since, this is a one off, I am sure we would be more than happy to provide you with the info you need, scans etc. just let us know.
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Thanks.

It might even motivate me to start putting my GT6 back together.

But first, I have to resolve why there was THREE GALLONS of gray goo in the crankcase. The engine is now out, and except for the rotating assembly, it is apart. Still no clues. The head gasket was holding onto the head rather well, and it sure was stuck to the deck, too. At 15k miles, I am absolutely convinced this is the first time the head's been off. SO far, it looks as it should. But with ZERO fluid in the entire cooling system, clearly it is not well.
 
Bob Buxbaum said:
Thanks.

It might even motivate me to start putting my GT6 back together.

But first, I have to resolve why there was THREE GALLONS of gray goo in the crankcase. The engine is now out, and except for the rotating assembly, it is apart. Still no clues. The head gasket was holding onto the head rather well, and it sure was stuck to the deck, too. At 15k miles, I am absolutely convinced this is the first time the head's been off. SO far, it looks as it should. But with ZERO fluid in the entire cooling system, clearly it is not well.
Click to expand...

Years ago I knew a fellow who changed the oil in his truck but "forgot" to drain the old oil - did not go well for the engine.
 
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