MG Metro camshaft identification
Turbo Mini Forums

Sorry, another question :)

Apart from putting it in an engine and measuring timing with a DTI, is there any definitive identification between a standard 1275 (slot drive) cam and the MG Metro one?

The table in Vizard seems to say there is a groove after the third lobe on a standard one and not on an MG one but the table is a bit of a mess....
Does a complete lack of any markings make it an MG one or does it just make it unknown???

I can't go by the engine number as its obviously been swapped (A series number on an A plus block).

I was going to PartEx it for a PH2 but if it is an MG one, that seems a bit of a waste!

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

Hi

I have one that is an MG one and I cant see any markings on it either. But i know 100% that is the mg one. I have it out of a car if you want send a pm with your email address and I can send you photos to compare if that helps?

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

There is a machined groove 1/4" wide between two of the lobes. Which lobes they are, I dont recall.

Thanks Dave,

That makes it even more confusing !!!

Vizard says the standard 1275 (slot drive) cam has the groove after the third lobe (so between No. 2 inlet and No. 2 exhaust). Nowhere in his table does he say any of the cams have a groove after the first lobe. Mine has no grooves !!!

I guess I'll have to put it my lathe (quicker than putting it in the engine) with a protractor and DTI it to be certain....

Rod.

Edited by Rod S on 23rd Jul, 2008.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???

Every MG cam I have seen, has had the 1/4" wide groove. It is not the normal 'groove' that one occasionally sees on other cams that is around 2mm wide - it is a clearly visible 1/4" wide rectangular section groove.

Thanks Dave and thanks to Lockfast (I asked him to email me some pics after all).

Vizard is wrong !!! (table on pages 284/285 of the yellow book) and mine is a plain 1275 cam.

I also found some very good identification photos on ML Motorsports site.

At least I can part Ex it for an Avonbar PH2 now without worrying I'm throwing away the next best.

Schrödinger's cat - so which one am I ???