[vhgmcbuddy]

As I have replaced all the oil seals on my 56, I think I will give the SAE90 a try, particularly as I have 20 litres of the stuff and don’t have any other machinery that uses this grade oil. If it does leak, at least I have plenty to keep topping it up!!

[vhgmcbuddy]

I will repair/weld the broken mount and then machine it down to the same hight as the other 3. Unless the frame is distorted this should be OK.
But if not feeler gauges and some shims will give me a secure 4 point mount.
“Soft foot” is often a problem when using a 4 point mount.
Does anyone know the tolerences for misalignment between the motor and gearbox?
Or will the rubber coupling take up any misalignment?.
PS. Can anyone tell me the correct spark plug?

Silverfox

[vhgmcbuddy]

Nearly reassembled

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[vhgmcbuddy]

The clutch is split using a puller bolted into the two threaded holes in the outer cover. you may be able to use long threaded bolts screwed into these holes to press against the flywheel tighten evenly to get a straight push.Undo the big nut on the shaft end first.Broken engine mounts are quite common handy to have a pal welding aluminium.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Oh, by the way. I have just found another MG. Working in a nursery in Helensburgh.

[vhgmcbuddy]

I now have the engine unbolted and ready to lift out.
Found a couple of surprises.
A broken engin mount. This has been repaired using Angle iron bolted to the crank case.
Luckily I have a pal who is very good at welding aluminium.
Also how do you split the centrifugal clutch?
It is not seized and is free to turn. I have split the drive after the rubber coupling.
I presume there is a supporting bearing inside the clutch?
Any help appreciated.

SILVERFOX.

[vhgmcbuddy]

Facinating on the oils, my manual is from when machine supplied in 1949, but MG leaflet I’m guessing is from 1970’s. You takes your pick…… thicker oil may stand less chance of leaking out of seals!

My serial number 350873 supplied new 16/11/1955 to Gillingham Suffolk, bought locally at auction many years ago by the chap who sold it to me, always been a local machine. (Charlie supplied serial number info to previous owner via our old forum in 2009!)

[vhgmcbuddy]

Blue bits 🙂

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Interesting Peter!! Your manual is the same layout as the one supplied to me by Charlie, but lists different oils. Have attached the page from Charlie’s manual for comparison.

Charlie, do you know what year your operators manual is from?

Looking on the Simar website, the US version of the manual, dated 1950, states SAE140, with SAE90 being an option for cold weather use. The French manual does not give an SAE value, but does give Castrol Swanshot (as stated in your manual) and Shell Dentax as possible gearbox oils. Confusingly, Shell Dentax is still available in both SAE90 and SAE140 grade!!!

Looks like I am going to have to spend even more money on the Simar and buy some new oil!!

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[vhgmcbuddy]

Great photos, thank you Alan! I wonder if I could buy one at that price – nearly £5. I could certainly save up for that!

[vhgmcbuddy]

Tignes all sandblasted and primed, then sprayed black.

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[vhgmcbuddy]

I like to think I’m open minded, creative and good at welding……I’m in Scotland as well.

[vhgmcbuddy]

keep them coming v good mix of m/cs

[vhgmcbuddy]

Hi all.
No, Stuart, its a Perkins 4.108 4-stroke, 1725cc if I remember right, not what you’d call overpowered, especially with a load on!
Charlie, so far as I can tell no bad damage, no funny noises from gearbox and everything selects and works OK. I think its probably advantageous that its leaked so badly, I don’t think much oil will have stayed in the box for very long! I’ll check the serial number when I next go outside!
Busman,so far as I’ve always known its SAE140 in the gearbox.
I’ve attached copy of the first page of my SIMAR 56 manual and an info leaflet from Mechanised Gardening who dealt with SIMARS after Monros packed up. Don’t know about old names for gear oil but MG say 140. Obviously, avoid EP at all costs.

Peter

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[vhgmcbuddy]

***Update*** cleaned gearbox up and metal tignes ready to paint tignes black. I’m gonna leave the gearbox (head) it’s self original.
Then I’ll start on the rotovator and the engine it’s self

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