Crystal Johnson's Journal

Success!! I re-fitted the engine and gearbox into the car. Securing the gearbox wasn't too hard even though I saw allot of comments where people had trouble getting some of the gearbox bolts in. My problem wasn't securing the gearbox but rather the last engine mount bolts. The drivers side mounting bracket just would not line up. I ended up using a crow bar between the crankshaft pulley and the rack & pinion shaft, a chain hoist to help tilt the engine an 1/8", as well as a wooden 2 x 2 to pry the gear box towards one side. All of this had to be done all at once while putting the bolts thru the mounting pads. What a trick for one person~~~but I got it. Don't ask me how, I don't recall.

A couple of tricks that helped me was to use a rubber band to hold the gearbox to driveshaft bolts in place. By holding those bolts back with a rubber band, they won't get caught up on the crossmember. Also, another trick I found on YouTube was to raise the front end while lowering the engine into place.

After finally getting the engine and gearbox mounted, I installed NOS emissions components, new radiator, new oil cooler, NOS heater valve and all new rubber hoses and belts. I know many in the MG world are thinking I am nuts because emissions aren't required in Texas. BUT!! The car came that way. So emission will be done at least for now. The air pump was rebuilt, new check valve, new gulp valve, new air rail....you name it, I found the parts! Locating an air pump hose was a tuff one. I ended up finding a NOS one from a fellow MGE member, but I also in my search think I found a solution as well. A Jaguar air pump hose has almost the same shapes; and I think it could be cut and spliced it to make it work.

I also ran into a problem with the fan blades hitting the air pump pulley. A fan spacer from Moss solved the problem. Although my car didn't have one initially, I also installed a fan shroud.

I am waiting on two new u-joints from RockAuto for the driveshaft.