3 Months ago my dad bought and resurrected a 1990 TP 2.6 Auto Magna for me.
When he bought it there were big end bearing problems which he thought he had rectified.
A few days ago that tell tale knock was back, so badly its now in intensive care. This virtually happened in the space of 2 days, from no noise to omg its broken.
*Facts from Dad*
The oil pressure is fine, the running temp doesnt go over half, the knock is there as soon as you start it, counter shafts have been removed, the other bearings are fine only No. 4 is the problem.

*Q's from same*
Could it be as simple as the oil pump? (dad adds "bloody hope not")
What would cause only No. 4 to melt?

I hope this isnt too vague and my pre apologies if it is, I will try to add more info asap.

ill need pics of the bearing to see what sort of damage has been done

it could be alot of things mate and i dont think it will come good until its popped open and sorted properly

Definately get sum pics. Sounds like you might have a blocked oil gallery. :rant:

Everything will seem fine but the bearing will be getting no oil, bye bye bearing.

Definately get sum pics. Sounds like you might have a blocked oil gallery. :rant:

Everything will seem fine but the bearing will be getting no oil, bye bye bearing.
That is where my money is, blocked oil gallery.

If the oil pressure is fine then I doubt it would be your oil pump.

How does it run with the balance shafts removed? Is it rougher?

ill need pics of the bearing to see what sort of damage has been done it could be alot of things mate and i dont think it will come good until its popped open and sorted properly


Definately get sum pics. Sounds like you might have a blocked oil gallery. :rant:

Everything will seem fine but the bearing will be getting no oil, bye bye bearing.
I have found out the pressure was only checked at idle speed. One theory at the moment is that the relief valve is stuck open from over revving (dont lend you car to your teenager) and that caused it to not have enough pressure to send to the last bottom end bearing (4)
The main bearings and bottom end 1 thru to 3 are fine, no damage etc. Its only number 4.
*about the pictures, my dad is old school, I would have to sneak in under the cover of darkness to extract digital evidence as he cannot see a need for it. *sigh*

That is where my money is, blocked oil gallery.

If the oil pressure is fine then I doubt it would be your oil pump.

How does it run with the balance shafts removed? Is it rougher?

I am new to modern engineering, My mechanical knowledge only really involves the old Morris Minor :P So please excuse any stupidness I exhibit.

From what I understand the oils path is, pump, gallery, crank, main bearings, bottom end. If it was a blockage in the gallery wouldnt that kill other bearings first?

And yes it is a little wobbly/lumpy at idle without the BS (balance shafts :P) Tho with a big enuff subwoofer I wont even notice it.

I am new to modern engineering, My mechanical knowledge only really involves the old Morris Minor So please excuse any stupidness I exhibit.

Dont knock the old morry, I had a beach buggy made outa 1 (different engine) did you know that a stock morrie will drift? Wierd suspenshun skinny rubber and no weight, its hilarious to watch :bowrofl:

From what I understand the oils path is, pump, gallery, crank, main bearings, bottom end. If it was a blockage in the gallery wouldnt that kill other bearings first?

Yes and no, the oil takes many paths off the main galleries and the channels out through the crank to the big ends and mains are also galleries. If you ever take out your crank its a good idea to flush it right through with low odour turps or the like and blow it out with compressed air.

Your gunna hafta tear the botom end down anyway if its eaten a bearing so check all the oil paths carefully then. Run the turps though each 1 to see if it come out the other end. :D

Off subject :P
I was raised on morrys, got my licence in one, still have the same car at dads in storage.
So moggies are kinda like the family pet.
I love how straight foward the engines are, altho mine has a datsun motor in it now.
My moggie actually beat the pants off of a 351 XB because those babys love corners and the big old XB had to practically stop for the tight turns...no room for it to get max acc as the corners were nice and close. Was a proud proud day for Morris Minors everywhere.

Thanks for the replies btw, the surgery begins today. I'll pass the cleaning tip onto dad.

The oil can take many paths and only one small part of the oil gallery could be blocked. The other idea is that maybe the oil gallery in the crank for bearning no4 is stuffed.

Either way if it was lack of oil/pressure then the others would be crook too.

As for the balance shafts - how lumpy is it? how is it up in revs? (sorry for hijacking you here, but you are the first person I know who has done it to a Magna!)

As for the balance shafts - how lumpy is it? how is it up in revs? (sorry for hijacking you here, but you are the first person I know who has done it to a Magna!)

My dad is an old school engineer/mechanic he decided to just get rid of them after talking to another mechanic friend of his. She runs fine, even when I am at idle the vibration is actually quite minimal. Up in revs even less noticable.

We also found the problem, seems the brilliant people we bought the car from had a go at fixing it themselves, problem was that they put something *racks brain and gives up* in the wrong way and it was stopping oil flow to certain bearings....erm sommat to do with the crank? That in older cars theres an oil hole in both parts...but in the magna theres only an oil hole in the top (gah or is it vice versa) anyways they did it back about front and thats what was causing all the grief. So with only a bit o fuss my darling ride is back on the road again.

The responses from you people was great and I want to extend many thankyous :D :dancin: This is a supportive friendly site, congrats on your community spirit.

I dont mind helping other Magna owners, hopefully you will be another Magna fan :)

I know how frustrating bearing problems are - the idiots I got my car from had done masses off work (quite well) EXCEPT they used cheap bearings. I am still trying to fix it (have actually got a nice new engine to build now :P)