Talk Morgan Forums Thread Like Summary - Filling Engine Oil and Gearbox

As most of you would know I have an Australian built Frontline MGB. The car is going very well, the only thing to break is the brake light switch that is an aftermarket Lucas part of dubious quality. The workshop sent me another one which also looks cheaply made so I fitted using a relay hoping it will last longer with less current running though it. I do feel sorry for the workshop as they put a lot of effort into building a quality car but are stuck using aftermarket Lucas parts that I am sure are of much less quality than what Lucas made in the 1960's.

The car now has 5400km of very enjoyable motoring on it and I am ready to do my first oil change. The car has a 2.0L Duratec engine with 6 speed MX5 gearbox. Just like a Duratec Morgan the engine is upright in my car rather than slanted 8 degrees like the MX5 it was designed for. To drain the engine I am going to have to jack up one side to get the drain plug at the bottom of the sump to get all the oil out. Not really and issue and I will take the opportunity to take the wire wheels off to clean. But I have two questions.

• Will the dipstick show the oil level accurately with the car flat on the ground? What do Morgan +4 owners do to check the oil level?
• The Gearbox feels OK but I have a feeling the workshop probably filled it on a hoist with the car level. If so then the oil level is low. How low would it be and is it enough to be a concern?

I feel this group is going to know more than any other group on the Duratec engine and what to worry about with it fitted vertically.

Thanks
Chris

Right lets sort this once and for all! Deejay is absolutely correct in that too low an oil level will effect the bearing oiling like wise to high an oil level will also over pressure the bearing seal!

Does the gear box need to be levelled to get the correct oil level in the gearbox? Well of course it does! How do you know this? Well the drain plug should be in such a position such as to drain all the oil and any small debris that might be present in the gearbox from use. Mazda designed the box to be fitted in their vehicles to allow this to happen and it can't when fitted in the Morgan. This clearly shows you that it was not designed to be canted to the angle it is in the Mog. Debris will accumulate in the bottom over successive oil changes and in use be circulating around the G/box in an ever growing amount. Apart from the wear issue, over many years it could effect even more the useable oil volume although that in a lightly used car with modern technology is a bit theoretical I admit!

Jacking one wheel at the front of the car isn't a great idea on a classic and to the level required to cant the engine level I would suggest is a no go as it will unduly stress the chassis and cause a front to rear level anomaly! so try this. Go to your local caravanning sales department and buy two levelling ramps, they are a perfect height, Place one in front of both front and rear wheels on the side you wish to raise and drive on to them. This raises one side of the car evenly and to a level suitable to drain and refill the MX-5 gearbox. Filling via the gear stick would be one hell of a faff and how will you know by volume you have the correct amount of fill as, how much is left in your gearbox Oh! and you can't use the level/filler plug!
If you need to remove a wheel for easier access, when the car is positioned on the levelling ramps you can support the chassis on a jack and remove said wheel yet maintain an horizontal and level car. Even when filled correctly and lowered back onto its wheels there will still be a very slight level issue of the oil within the gearbox but at less than 5' its the best that can be acheived and at least the volume level or should I say quantity will be correct.