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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: heaubeau on March 27, 2015, 05:59:43 PM

Title: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: heaubeau on March 27, 2015, 05:59:43 PM
Hey Everybody!

I just bought a '75 T3 and the little rubber plug that covers the timing inspection hole is missing. Any tips on replacing it? I found the part on MG Cycle (http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1467 (http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1467)) but I'd just as soon run to a local parts shop and pick something up.

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: acogoff on March 27, 2015, 06:12:13 PM
     I think there should be one in your battery hold down strap.
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on March 27, 2015, 06:22:47 PM
Hey Everybody!

I just bought a '75 T3 and the little rubber plug that covers the timing inspection hole is missing. Any tips on replacing it? I found the part on MG Cycle (http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1467 (http://www.mgcycle.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=1467)) but I'd just as soon run to a local parts shop and pick something up.

Thanks in advance!

Welcome to WG.. just order it.. and be glad that it's readily available.   ;D
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: wrbix on March 27, 2015, 06:32:18 PM
Order two, they're small. Share one with a friend.
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: dilligaf on March 27, 2015, 07:14:19 PM
Duck Tape.  :BEER:
Matt
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: Bill Hagan on March 27, 2015, 07:28:46 PM
Duck Tape.  :BEER:
Matt

Disgustingly inelegant, Matt.  Typical sailor fix.   ;D

I much prefer to use cork-plug tops from bourbon bottles.  Woodford Reserve corks tend to be too large for most Guzzi applications, but, from personal experience, I can attest that Knob Creek or Wild Turkey corks fit in numerous opening on Guzzis, including the TDC hole.  My most recent use of one was in the oil filler hole on my Norge while I had the TLM extension out for maintenance.  :BEER:


(http://bill-and-kathi.smugmug.com/photos/i-tdJ9v5j/0/L/i-tdJ9v5j-L.jpg)



No need to thank me; I'm a wrench.  It's what I do.   ;)

Bill

P.S. I just ordered several of the OEM plugs.  Interesting how they seem to get rock hard after a while.


Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: travelingbyguzzi on March 27, 2015, 07:32:02 PM
Your local big box hardware store has all sorts of plugs of different types that will fit. You can probably even find a shiny one.
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: heaubeau on March 27, 2015, 09:30:52 PM
Welcome to WG.. just order it.. and be glad that it's readily available.   ;D

Great point!

Thanks everyone for your help! I've got a couple on order now. In the meantime, I guess I've got an excuse to finish that bottle of Bulleit...
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: Sasquatch Jim on March 27, 2015, 09:35:28 PM
 The tongue bone of an aardvark will do nicely, the segment down at the base is best.
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: rodekyll on March 27, 2015, 10:33:33 PM
No, you didn't lose it.  It's in the bellhousing, nice and safe.   :D

A mechanic at MI tells the story of a clutch job due to an odd smell coming from the locale.  When he separated the gearbox from the engine many timing plugs fell out, some melted they were so stuffed in there -- hence the smell.  The owner said he thought the plugs were supposed to be pushed through and replaced every time.

Hard plugs:
To install -- place in boiling water for a minute.  It will be supple as suede. 
To remove -- best done with the engine hot.  A heat gun will also help make it pliable.
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: charlie b on March 28, 2015, 07:26:18 AM
I like Hagan's solution.  :)
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: dilligaf on March 28, 2015, 08:45:57 AM
Bill, You Army guys do know the bottles are not a storage system TDC hole coves.   The stuff in the bottles is for drinking, not keep the corks soft and pliable.   ~;  :BEER:
Matt
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: LowRyter on March 28, 2015, 08:51:49 AM
$1.79?  OK, you're a Guzzi guy  ;)

You can always try Ace Hardware.   ;-T
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: heaubeau on March 28, 2015, 09:08:24 AM
$1.79?  OK, you're a Guzzi guy  ;)

You can always try Ace Hardware.   ;-T

I was tempted, but without the specs or the original plug I figured I'd end up spending $15 nailing down the right fit.
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: dilligaf on March 28, 2015, 09:32:32 AM
I was tempted, but without the specs or the original plug I figured I'd end up spending $15 nailing down the right fit.

Now that sounds more like a BMW guy.  ;D  :BEER:
Matt
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on March 28, 2015, 10:02:27 AM
Now that sounds more like a BMW guy.  ;D  :BEER:
Matt

 ;D ;-T
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: pehayes on March 28, 2015, 12:21:54 PM
P.S. I just ordered several of the OEM plugs.  Interesting how they seem to get rock hard after a while.

Porcelain coffee cup.
Cup of water.
60 seconds microwave.
Drop in the rock of a plug.
Walk to the garage and install the now-nicely-pliable plug.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: heaubeau on March 28, 2015, 12:53:32 PM
Now that sounds more like a BMW guy. 

 :-[
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: Bill Hagan on March 28, 2015, 01:05:56 PM
Porcelain coffee cup.
Cup of water.
60 seconds microwave.
Drop in the rock of a plug.
Walk to the garage and install the now-nicely-pliable plug.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

Thanks, Patrick.  Rodekyll suggested something similar.

I had no idea that would work, and have always found that hardening to be interesting.

On the bright side, I did get to tell Kathi I was drinking bourbon because I needed the bottle tops.   ;D

Bill

 
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: rodekyll on March 28, 2015, 01:36:07 PM
I'm going to try the cork trick so's I can hold a hall effect sensor in it.  I drilled a recess in my flywheel and installed a magnet for a tach pickup.  I have it placed to run through the middle of the timing hole.  With a cork I can set the air gap between sensor and magnet more precisely than with the rubber plug.  I never thought of that before seeing the post.  . .

Another use for caps -- a beer bottle cap fits over that huge vent port in the top of a Convert gearbox.  It still breathes, but casual water from washing the bike doesn't get in.
Title: Re: Timing Inspection Hole Cover Replacement
Post by: Tom on March 28, 2015, 03:59:03 PM
 :+1 on Ace Hardware.