Removing timing chain cover

[bwaminispeed]

"and lift radiator out of the lower cowl with fan in place."

That actually, is not possible to do, as, there is no room for the lower rad spigot to get past the lower rad shroud.......If you leave the shroud on, it won't pass by the fan........because the shroud on the A panel won't allow the rad to lean over far enough to get the fan bolts out, you can't get the fan off .etc .etc...........

[Andrew1967]

Not calling anyone a liar but I have to agree with you BWA .. I cannot see how it can be done on a standard original set up 16 bladed fan Mk1 without struggling to remove the fan bolts and fan first.

I had to take the rad out of HOY to replace a bent water pump pulley (steel S type) and the only way I could get the rad out was to get Dad to pull the rad over to the shroud (with genuine rubber seal fitted) so I could get at the bolts and just about manoeuvre them out. Then remove hose from water pump , two lower rad bracket to engine mount bracket bolts and then just about get the rad and lower cowl out past the shroud and water pump.

Without the shroud would have been much easier but then if it’s a Mk1 or 2 it should have one, so have to suffer the consequences .

However, if a video or similar tutorial exists showing how it can be done I’m up for learning to avoid one of the worst jobs on a Mk1

[JeremyD]

I found an old Haynes Manual which seems to think removing the fan is optional (The BMC workshop manual does not):

The two piece cowling was fitted to car No 3941 and is removed with the radiator as follows:

• a) Undo bolts holding the radiator support bracket to the thermostat housing
  b) Undo clip holding top hose to the radiator and pull off hose. Undo the six bolts which hold the top half of the cowling to the radiator and remove the top half of the cowling
  c) Undo and remove the two bolts holding the cowling to the bracket on the engine mounting
  d) Undo clip holding the lower hose to the water pump and pull the hose outside the bottom half of the cowling
  e) Lift the radiator and bottom part of the cowling out of the car

Then it says
Before the radiator is lifted out of the car, 'it is also advised' to remove the fan. Pull the radiator back against the wind valance, undo the four bolts and washers which hold the fan in place and remove the fan.


I guess the only way to find out is to do it, graze a few knuckles, swear a few times, get really frustrated and then decide it is best to take the engine out. I'll keep you informed.

[bwaminispeed]

On the MKI/MKII cars, it is way easier to undo all the relevant nuts n bolts, and, just lift the front of the car over the complete subframe/power unit.......

I've tried it all three ways (pulling rad, pulling motor, and, lifting body), and, lifting the body beats them all......You don't even need to take the bonnet off......

[AndyPen]

I found an old Haynes Manual which seems to think removing the fan is optional (The BMC workshop manual does not):

The two piece cowling was fitted to car No 3941 and is removed with the radiator as follows:

• a) Undo bolts holding the radiator support bracket to the thermostat housing
  b) Undo clip holding top hose to the radiator and pull off hose. Undo the six bolts which hold the top half of the cowling to the radiator and remove the top half of the cowling
  c) Undo and remove the two bolts holding the cowling to the bracket on the engine mounting
  d) Undo clip holding the lower hose to the water pump and pull the hose outside the bottom half of the cowling
  e) Lift the radiator and bottom part of the cowling out of the car

Then it says
Before the radiator is lifted onever drilledut of the car, 'it is also advised' to remove the fan. Pull the radiator back against the wind valance, undo the four bolts and washers which hold the fan in place and remove the fan.


I guess the only way to find out is to do it, graze a few knuckles, swear a few times, get really frustrated and then decide it is best to take the engine out. I'll keep you informed.

Many grazed knuckles and yes - we always followed the haynes manual back in the day. Some of you may recall my problem with my brand new MS water pump, the one that was never drilled to let water through to the impeller. The rad came out about 5 times trying to diagnose that, and got this operation off to a 'T'. My short ratchet spanners were an absolute boon!!

[JohnA]

To save your knuckles when removing the fan when you have removed the top cowl
Using a long shallow 7/16 ring spanner
Loosen the fan bolts
Remove the fan belt
Hold the spanner on a bolt with your right hand
Rotate the fan with your left hand and the bolt will wind itself out
Simples

[timmy201]

Here’s my fan still bolted up just after I took out the radiator. I did it, no one can convince me it’s not possible

[Andrew1967]

Well next time I have that unfortunate job to do I’ll give it a try .

[whitewithblackroof]

When removing/replacing the fan in the tight space between the radiator I found using a magnet tool to hold the bolts and wiggle them into or out of place a knuckle and time saver, along with the ratchet spanner

[Peter Laidler]

Another good idea from the Forum. I can think of another bolt I struggled with that could be inserted like that!

[850man]

I do this all the time, and its very quick and simple.
All the radiators fitted to Aussie cars were "Mk1" style. The UK single cowls/single bolt at the bottom is easier again.

1. remove grill
2. remove LH engine mount bolts
3. raise engine at radiator side.
4. remove the 2 5/16 bolts at lower rad cowl bracket, into the gearbox bracket.
5. Remove top cowl bracket & hose.
6. disconnect lower hose at water pump.
7. slacken off the fan belt.
7. Lift out complete radiator out on an angle, manoeuvre it past the fan & inner shroud panel.

Practise this 10 thousand times over 30 years and you can get it done in around two minutes. Maybe 4 or 5 minutes if the car has non standard parts fitted or an integral grill (Van/Pickup)

To get the timing cover off doesn't take much longer, remove the gearbox/engine mount bracket, undo the pully bolt with a rattle gun & extension through the inner guard grill. Lever the pulley off with 2 screwdrivers (Carefully, don't damage the cover or the pully.) Then remove the bolts holding the cover on, and remove the cover.
Timing chain gears etc can now be changed easily. If you want to change the cam you need to cut one fin of the inner guard to get the cam out through the hole.

[johnv]

That’s all good then. If I came to your garage for a timing belt change I’d get charged 30 mins labour, with a decent profit in it for you.

[goff]

That’s all good then. If I came to your garage for a timing belt change I’d get charged 30 mins labour, with a decent profit in it for you.

johnv some super fast tall story dreamers on here , ME ,i can take an engine out strip it down , rebuild it and put it back in 30 seconds , i did it in my dreams last night

[Southwest]

I do this all the time, and its very quick and simple.
All the radiators fitted to Aussie cars were "Mk1" style. The UK single cowls/single bolt at the bottom is easier again.

1. remove grill
2. remove LH engine mount bolts
3. raise engine at radiator side.
4. remove the 2 5/16 bolts at lower rad cowl bracket, into the gearbox bracket.
5. Remove top cowl bracket & hose.
6. disconnect lower hose at water pump.
7. slacken off the fan belt.
7. Lift out complete radiator out on an angle, manoeuvre it past the fan & inner shroud panel.

Practise this 10 thousand times over 30 years and you can get it done in around two minutes. Maybe 4 or 5 minutes if the car has non standard parts fitted or an integral grill (Van/Pickup)

To get the timing cover off doesn't take much longer, remove the gearbox/engine mount bracket, undo the pully bolt with a rattle gun & extension through the inner guard grill. Lever the pulley off with 2 screwdrivers (Carefully, don't damage the cover or the pully.) Then remove the bolts holding the cover on, and remove the cover.
Timing chain gears etc can now be changed easily. If you want to change the cam you need to cut one fin of the inner guard to get the cam out through the hole.

"Practise this 10 thousand times over 30 years and you can get it done in around two minutes
Roughly every day for 30 years then.."!

Not sure many of us on here have that long to practice!