Bell housing

[neilcampbell]

Hi, I' trying to identify a number of oil leaks from my car (1961) and have posted a separate enquiry in respect of the overdrive unit.

Whilst under the car I noticed two purpose made holes in the bell housing. One seems to show the starter ring and I don't know what the other is. I'm told there should be a plate over the holes. Does anyone know where I can get such a plate and how is it secured.

Many Thanks,

Neil Campbell

[ManxNeil]

Hi, Neil,

The plate is a flimsy thin metal 'teardrop' shape. The fat end covers the hole and slightly indented in a circular pattern to correspond with the hole itself. The plate tapers to a point where it pivots about a split pin or rivet which locates through a small hole in the bell housing an inch or so to the side of the main hole.

I don't think many plates survive on older XK engines and I only knew what it was because there was one on a spare gearbox in my garage. As it was, I destroyed the plate trying to get it off (the pivot had jammed solid and the plates really are that flimsy) so I made a replacement from a thin piece of aluminium, but I don't really know how effective they are.

Cheers,

[neilcampbell]

Hi Neil, Many thanks for the info. I have located such a plate and WATJAG in Derbyshire can obtain them as new approx £4

Again many thanks Neil

[ManxNeil]

Thanks, Neil, that's good to know, and I'll order one - has to be better than the one I made!

Cheers,