I've just finished fitting the bearings in the bottom end, i turned the flywheel and i could turn it, but it was rather hard

Is that right? All the bearing sizes are fine, all standard size, the overbore was matched to the pistons that are in there etc etc

So is it normal that its a bit hard to turn the rebuilt & torqued down bottom end with all new bearings with the flywheel by hand?

Thanks in advance

 

Impossible to define "A bit hard" unfortunately, and its definately a thing you learn with experience.

Squirrt some oil in the bores to lubricate the pistons, se if it helps.

Did the crank spin easy without pistons? IE: you spin it and it spins another 180degrees or so when you let go?

 

Yeah, the mains have been in there for the best part of a month, it span really well and smooth, so its not that.

Once i get it spinning, like with some momentum, i can carry on, its just the initial starting to try and spin it that is stiff.

I'll get it on the stand tomorrow and have another go with the bores oiled up, cos the mains, big and small ends are all oiled up to the hilt.

Cheers

 

Spence i can pop round next thursday evening and spin it over for you and tell you if its right or not.

As stu says, you get a "feel" for it over time.

 

if the bores have been honed and your using new ring then it will take some effort to crank by hand.

nail the fly on and it will be a bit easier (more to grab hold of assuming your using the crank?)

 

Nah, am using the flywheel to tryand turn it.

Chip, that would be great mate if you could. I'm not far from where that steak house is in shepperton.

I'll PM you tomorrow about it

 

NEXT thursday im afraid mate.

Im all booked up till then

 

it sounds to me like you will be fine m8

 

when i re-built my x-flow, it was hard to turn by hand then, and it had new piston rings. It was fine once it had bedded in though. i found that if you grab the flywheel, either side, it should take a fair amount of forceto turn it.

 

what are the ring gaps spence?

and what is the piston to bore clearance?

 

lol pass

The matey who does all my machine work has the measurements, he builds and races MG's and has done for 25 years, so i trust his work highly.

Anyway, gimmie a shout next week Chip, and we'll sort something out.

P.S Nice feature with the 3 door Shame about the picture of you