My engine has been taken out of the car because a gearbox bearing has died, so whilst it's apart I'm going to look at anything I can do that may be suggested as a reliability mod.

Thinking new oil pump, double row timing chain, and even crack testing / balancing the crank.

Are there any other things that should be considered whilst I have the chance to do it and do it right?

Thanks.

Lighten the flywheel and backplate, and then have it all dynamically balanced when you do the crank.
1275 cranks have peak vibration points in the 3000-4500 range. Lightening the rotating mass moves these torsional vibration points in the crank assembly further up the rpm scale. Hopefully out of your normal cruising rpm, so improving crank life.

Wedging the crank helps this too, not only does it lighten the crank but it changes the balance factor (similar to increasing the counterweighting)- this helps stop the main bearings wearing oval (a common 1275 problem).
Here's one I prepared earlier (shown after milling, but before linishing).

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Ill ad on to Kevs Post. What connects on to the Crank can throw the crank balance out also. Get the Rods Balanced and Straightened.
Match the ports on the Inlet and outlet Manifolds
Choice of Cam

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Stop Licking the Dog...I Don't Care Who Started It

electronic ignition,
not over the top cam,
regular oil changes,
keep the engine/carb in tune

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Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

The engine is a coil pack SPI unit.
External the the engine itself, everything else has been refurbished / rebuilt / renewed.
I'll be leaving the stock cam in there, but may consider 1.5 rockers.
At least if they have negative or no effects they're more easily removed.

get a good spi cam from uk.

you can get that support pinion that Kad sell for the gearbox. helps with longer final drives. you have a 2.9?

you could cryo parts to last longer like cranks etc.

cryo treatment works, all sc components engines are cryo treated when made/sold.

bigger bearings maybe? roller bearings? oil feed tapping on thrust washers is a good mod as well.