Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Cam Belt

Hi Laurens,
Mine looked like your wife's at 500 miles. I cleaned it up, and have seen nothing since. I am on 4K miles now and clean with no belt scarf or chips.

I used 2mm thick stainless washers between the cover and crank case, 2000 miles later it is still as clean as a whistle inside with no belt debris.

To get more air flowing through the belt cover the S & S badge could be machined out and a fine mesh/ K & N filter material inserted so air entered the front and exhausted through the back.

Perhaps this would only be necessary in hot climates though.

I like the grill idea at the front Dab , though with my machining skills I would want a spare handy just in case.

Hi Nippy, to be more specific I would mill out the relief and keep the S & S logo in the middle and then by using some material like your air filter rain sock on the inside would let the air through and keep the water and crap out.

That would give you something to do this afternoon instead of reading the paper.

Laurens, I imagine the mountain driving is hard on the heating on the belt.
S&s have recommended a 3000 mile interval betqeen cam belt changes.
I am worried about an open air/washer solution due to rust on the weak and vulnerable cam shaft and sprocket interface.

Here is an exceprt from an email between me and malvern hq, it was on a wide range of issues but here is on the cam belt:

6. Cam belt

It has become clear to some owners that the timing/cam belt needs to be replaced at least every 7000 miles. This is below the recommended interval.

6.1) WHY DO YOU CHARGE SUCH A HIGH PRICE FOR A NEW CAM BELT? Your price is well in excess of S&S dealers. This is especially unacceptable when your recommended replacement interval was far too optimistic at the time of vehicle purchase.

We have a pricing formula that is applied to all components based on our purchase price, this formula does not result in Morgan 3 Wheeler achieving higher margins, however now you have raised this I will ask our Parts department to investigate your concern.

6.2) What investigations are you conducting with S&S and Gates to find a more appropriate Cam belt for the high tension system early vehicles?

S&S and Gates have completed testing in this area, as recommended we follow their installation and service for any replacement parts. On early models the cam belt was over heating due to the lack of air circulation, by spacing out the cam belt cover this resolved the issue. This was the solution from S&S after they carried out extensive testing in this area.

7.Cam Shaft and timing belt sprocket interface

The S&S cam shaft and sprocket interface is not fit for purpose. This results in the timing belt sprocket coming loose on some vehicles and shortly after a failure results. Owners have to check every couple thousand miles for looseness and play in the cam belt.

7.1) What investigations are you conducting with S&S in order to get the cam shaft and sprocket interface lengthened/ uprated?

S& S are currently investigating this issue,

I believe the interface between the ridges on the belt and the nylon fabric (which gives the tension strength) is not strong.
There is no fibre linkage or weave between the ridged fibres and the nylon. Hence the belts are poorly designed for transmitting load beween the belt teeth and the main nylon rings.

As nylon has little friction it is no surprise that the teeth fibres and the nylon seperate. This is compounded by the constant flexing in different directions round the pulleys and drive shaft.

Thus the powder like stuff in your housing is the bits of ridge that are slowly coming off.


Eventually a whole ridge comes off and then the nylon will melt and cut on the sprockets very quickly without the teeth fibre covering.

I have no idea what to do other than put a spray on the teeth so as to stop it being torn up

Near 12000 miles without changing cam belt....And it looks new.
Just have a look often for checking.

Charles
Is section seven your opinion or a reply from the factory?. It's not clear on your post
Cheers
Matt

Yes sorry, that was written by me.
In the email it was different colours.