MGA Forum

Can someone tell me what is the purpose for the blanking plate on the side of my 57 MGA (early model)? There is no access hole behind the plate, only the two screws, one to fasten the breather pipe.

....mechanical fuel pump for other engine apps

Dear Jerry,

That's the later MGA 1500 engine block with the hole cast out. The earlier MGA 1500 engine block had a removeable plate (still with the 2 studs) and nuts and lockwashers that covered the hole for a mechanical fuel pump used on other 1500 BMC engines. However, you don't have everything on those 2 studs.

The LH stud also had the brass carb vent pipe clip BMC part #AEH550 that held the 2 SU carb overflow tubes (from vibrating if not attached to the block.)

Also, for the later 1500 style block and all 1600 MGA engines and also all 3 main bearing MGB engines, there was a NLA round spacer 1H840 that fitted behind the tab on the vent pipe you have already attached. The purpose of that spacer was to 'space' the vent pipe away from the bottom of the engine block where it meets the oil pan. EVER NOTICE WHY MOST ORIGINAL USED VENT PIPES HAVE A KINK OR DENT RIGHT NEAR THE BOTTOM? Because that spacer is missing. I had the same issue with our 1957 MGA Coupe 1500 engine. That;s how I know. The spacer is NLA, but you can just put 3 or 4 flat washers on the stud and it will space out the vent pipe just as well.

I know this is an old posting question, but no one has answered it completely.

Regards,
Cecelia
SCARBOROUGH FAIRE

Just for the correct answer, the additional screw hole is to fix the clamp for the two fuel overflow pipes from the carbs. There is a "double" or wide clip that fixes there.

See this pic (taken from Barney's Encyclopedia)

Gio

and if any one cares the 3 main 1789cc engine had only the front float chamber vent attached at that stud. The rear float chamber vent attached to a tapped hole adjacent to the oil pressure relief valve.


B

photo courtesy of Lloyd Faust

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Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?"



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2018-09-27 02:19 PM by riley1489.

The B engine used in an A should be set up like the A engine. The B exhaust manifold won’t fit on an A. It is why they changed to the different setup.