Hey guys,

Done a search but couldn't find what I was looking for.

Tonight I replaced the distributor o-ring on my 6G74 Magna, because it was leaking oil (already replaced the valve cover gaskets about 5,000kms ago, but now there is oil under the distributor). Anyway, that all went fine, and it is back together again.

But I went to replace the other o-ring (same size as the distributor seal), on the front cylinder head, but I can't seem to get that plate off because the top bolt hits the housing where the top radiator hose is. Does this mean that I have to remove that complete thermostat housing assembly just so I can get that plate off to replace the seal? And yes the seal is leaking and that's why I want to replace it.

Thanks in advance

Cut the bolt head off after you undo it as much as you can and then replace the bolt with a short one. Done this many times when working at mitso and to the verada. The dizzy seal and the cam cap seals are different numbers not sure if different sizes.

Adding to GQShorty's advice, when you replace the bolt, shave the head off at an angle and slip it in between the housing and the camshaft cap.

No need to shave the head of the bolt, place the bolt in the hole of the cap and then twist the plate to line up to the thread.

Cut the bolt head off after you undo it as much as you can and then replace the bolt with a short one. Done this many times when working at mitso and to the verada. The dizzy seal and the cam cap seals are different numbers not sure if different sizes.

Thanks for that mate, that's exactly what I will do. Will make things so much easier haha.

I Used hylomar (blue liquid gasket) on the face of the plate without taking the bolt out. Seems to be holding well.

Planned on doing this very job today. So very keen to hear how you solved the problem ben205vs. Please post and tell how you went with it. Cheers, John.
P.S. the spares guy at local Mitsubishi insisted there is no o-ring on rear bank (distributor end). Manual shows o-ring and i can't see why there would be some Magnas that don't have an 0-ring, unless sealant was used.

Planned on doing this very job today. So very keen to hear how you solved the problem ben205vs. Please post and tell how you went with it. Cheers, John.
P.S. the spares guy at local Mitsubishi insisted there is no o-ring on rear bank (distributor end). Manual shows o-ring and i can't see why there would be some Magnas that don't have an 0-ring, unless sealant was used.

There is, its the distributor o-ring, part number MD619990.

I plan on tackling this job in the next few weekends, though I am going the more thorough route by removing the water pipe housing and replacing the thrust cap o-ring, water pipe gaskets and o-ring, heater pipe o-rings and distributor o-ring.

I don't know why you just wouldn't do it properly and take the water pipe housing off.

Cause there is no need to

I did this on my TF a few weeks back, didn't need to cut the bolt in the end though! Not sure if mine had been replaced in the past, but it was JUST short enough to come out. Undid it all the way and then wriggled it on the right angle and managed to get it out. Gave myself a nasty cut going back in though! Was very tight and when it finally popped in my hand slipped down and sliced itself on the metal thermostat gasket.. :(

Planned on doing this very job today. So very keen to hear how you solved the problem ben205vs. Please post and tell how you went with it. Cheers, John.
P.S. the spares guy at local Mitsubishi insisted there is no o-ring on rear bank (distributor end). Manual shows o-ring and i can't see why there would be some Magnas that don't have an 0-ring, unless sealant was used.

Haven't had time to do this yet, haven't even actually driven the car either.. So I can let you know how I go once it's finally done. There definitely is a distributor O-Ring, as there would be or else it will just leak oil.

There is a metal water pipe that runs near above the distributor, with an O-Ring where it bends down at a 90 degree angle, I accidentally moved that pipe while undoing the top distributor bolt and now coolant is leaking from that seal, lucky I have the service manual because now I need to work out how to do that.

I have been thinking about this and was wondering if the plate has to come off. What if one removes lower bolt, takes upper bolt out as far as it will go. Then swing the plate up and hopefully can access the old o-ring.pull it out and fit new o-ring. Any tried this??

I have been thinking about this and was wondering if the plate has to come off. What if one removes lower bolt, takes upper bolt out as far as it will go. Then swing the plate up and hopefully can access the old o-ring.pull it out and fit new o-ring. Any tried this??

I tried doing that as I was thinking the exact same thing, plate doesn't come out far enough :(

Just do the job properly! Take the water pipe housing off and do the distributor o-ring while you're at it because, more likely than not, it wont be far behind.
I did the job this weekend. Replaced the thrust cap o-ring, distributor o-ring, water pipe housing gaskets, water pipe o-ring and heater pipe o-rings (the ones that you mentioned you bumped) and it would probably take similar time if you were to stuff around with small clearances and shaving heads off bolts if you plan on replacing the distributor o-ring anyway.