ENGINE SIDE PLATES

B

Barry Cox

New Member
Hi folks - regarding the side plates / covers oon the engine block.
a couple of questions - are they secured with gaskets or just sealant? and can they be removed with the engine in place.

I am having to replace the exhaust gaskets (and hence removing the carb etc - so was wondering if this would be a good opportunity to have alook at the state of the plates and what sediment is hidden behind it!

Regards

Barry
 
They are fitted with gaskets. They can be done with the engine in place. The gaskets do take a bit of cleaning off. I can't say I would ever just replace the gasket, the plates aren't that expensive and once replaced you shouldn't ever have to do them again. If you buy new sideplates buy a new immersion heater plug because you're unlikely to get the old one out of the plate.
 
hi Barry, done this on Hermione 2 years ago,...but that was because they leaked like a seive :p...if yours are not leaking and you don't suffer overheating/circulation problems then i would leave them,...
 
If you do them, make sure that you put in the correct amount of anti-freeze.

I had the engine out, the side plate were cleaned and new gaskest fitted and engine put back in. a year later they sprung a leak, DOH!

I have new gaskets and side plates to fit but not sure about doing them insitu or engine out. may be quicker long run to whip the engine out.

The engine mount bolts were a real pig to get off. I ended up with the engine on the ground and my 2 foot monkey wrench to get them off. I wasn't able to get the water jackets past them so worth bearing in mind.

Colin
722209258db6f6a799b161dc399dc9419e39db1e0f84f3d681fab658.jpg
 
arthuy said:
I had the engine out, the side plate were cleaned and new gaskest fitted and engine put back in. a year later they sprung a leak, DOH!
Click to expand...
THAT'S why I would never fit just gaskets! :D
 
Thanks for the help folks - I must admit the engine mounting bolts worried me - I can imagine they could be a bit of a pig to remove in the confines of the engine bay. As I have had no problem so far I think I will leave well alone but I am now fore-armed with the necessary info if they do ever need doing (especially handy re the hint re the immersion heater plug HarvetP6 as I hate attacking a job only to find you can't finish through lack of bits!)
Cheers

Barry
 
The JRW items are remanufactured without the plug but Steve Walker has plenty of Rover originals & I think they come with the plug fitted anyway.
 
The Rovering Member said:
The JRW items are remanufactured without the plug but Steve Walker has plenty of Rover originals & I think they come with the plug fitted anyway.
Click to expand...
I think Steve Walker has a set on ebay at the moment and they don't come with the immersion heater plug as I thought.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top