Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing CVH cam belt

Well Ken I have a Ford background and I fully concur with Arwyn. Firstly the CVH or compound valve hemispherical head engine was a revolution and it made the XR3i go like a scolded cat so I can only imagine what its like in a Morgan! Primarily to compete with the VW Golf Gti and in fact out class it Which IMHO both cars were quite different and drove in very brand like ways although I have to say the Ford G/box was nicer to use and it also had a faster rack which gave a far better feel to the drive.


When in development the CVH was first designed to follow the engine sizes that Ford were currently following, 1100, 1300 and 1600, the 1100 being an old style engine and non CVH. Under testing it was found that the 1300 having a shorter block and a far too compressed route for the timing belt with too many systems to run was destroying timing belts so the block and stroke were lengthened and this resolved the matter, it was then relabelled the 1400CVH. so, this was still at a time before modern materials were incorporated in timing belt manufacture. I would suggest you contact a franchised Ford service centre and find out what the current timing belt replacement practice is. so that you know where you stand in the future. and whether the belts are now improved

As Arwyn has said, it's pretty easy in the Ford when transverse mounted but in the Morgan its a very simple task. If you want more room remove your bonnets. Simply remove the front brass mount,(two small bolts) Place some foam or soft padding that will sit between the raised two halves and pull away from the rear mount, then lift the two sides clear holding them in the raised position as a unit. I rest them over a padded tressle folding one bonnet down each side. You can now literally walk around in there! And yes always change waterpumps and any idlers etc as these are the primary cause of timing belt failures not generally the belts themselves!