Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Removing the Kent X flow engine?!

Greetings from downunder where it’s very wet, very cold and very windy!

In fact perfect weather to get in the garage and attend to all the jobs on the Morgan I’ve been putting off cos I was having too much fun driving it.

I’ve never tackled it before but I’m contemplating removing the engine ......eek! Why?...Well:

Firstly.
Occasional small pool of coolant in drip tray I keep underneath. Not coming from radiator or hoses or heater.
I’m guessing it could be from one of the core plugs but, here’s the thing.......Mr Google says that for the Kent X flow engine with number 711M stamped on the block there are 4 plugs. I can only find 3. There are two on the exhaust side of the block and one at the rear of the ? Cylinder head. Where the proverbial is the potential culprit?!!

Secondly.
The gear shift.......has become precariously easy to move into reverse ( knock to left and forward ) when engaging 1st.
There is now virtually no resistance and to be honest I’m not sure it should be a push down and across or a pull up and across! ( it’s been very sloppy since I got the car )
I am correct in thinking this is a relative easy fix with just having to access the area at the base of the gear stick?

Should the coolant leak prove not to be a core plug issue and can be fixed without removing the engine, can the gear stick issue be addressed from inside the cockpit?

Apologies if this is a bit lengthy but I’m eager to garner the combined wealth of wisdom on this terrific site.
Grateful for any advice.

The 4th core plug is at the rear of the engine block, it's an engine out job to access it as it is hidden behind the flywheel.



The gear lever can be accessed from within the car, on mine I was able to change it without removing the tunnel just by working through the hole in the top.

I hate a gear pattern with reverse next to first. The wife's Polo has it and it is all to easy to think that it has been left in first, when looking at the stick position, when actually the car has been left in reverse when parked.

Have you checked the water pump! I've had a few fail which have given rise to the symptoms you describe. Easily checked and replaced.

Regarding the gearbox. Assuming you have the original four speed Ford type, it sounds as though the plastic washers at the bottom of the gear lever are starting to break up. No service kits available so only option is a replacement if you can find one or use an aftermarket rose jointed one. Both of which will need to be shortened and bent to suit.

Arwyn

Ah ha!! So that’s where the little blighter is!
That makes sense as the little puddle always seems to be under the front of the gear box.

OK looks like a engine out.
Let the fun begin!

Thanks also to the other contributors.

Cheers, Neil.

Thanks for the suggestion.
Have checked and all looks good around the pump.

Cheers,
Neil.