Engine nearly complete.

PROJECT 51: Engine nearly complete. I'm waiting for the exhaust manifold to come back from being ceramic coated, and for some carburetors parts, but aside from those few items, I finally have the engine pretty well assembled.

All of the gaskets were sealed on both sides with high-temp silicone, and the original-style two-piece front crankshaft seal was replaced with a modern one-piece lip seal. This engine should be more free from oil-leaks than the original engineers at MG ever dreamt possible!

In my humble opinion, I believe the MG engine is kind of pretty when it's all cleaned up.

Engine as removed from the car.

Original design two-piece oil seal vs. modern lip seal.
The originals are basically braided rope impregnated
with graphite. The question was never "if" but
"when" they would start leaking.

Bead of silicone sealant on oil pan gasket.
Lip seal is at far left, between the pulley. and the timing chain.

Almost a work of art!