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Valve rocker out of line

Posted by Clacksman

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Valve rocker out of line #1
Clacksman Andy Dear Central Scotland, United Kingdom 1957 MG Magnette ZB "Maggie - Aren't They All?" 1997 MG F 2004 MG ZT-T	Posted: April 15, 2012 12:03PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 104

I have just fitted an MGB 3-main engine remanufactured here in the UK by Ivor Searle. I started it for the first time yesterday and it ran pretty well considering that I haven't yet optimized the carbs. (I am sticking with the Magnette's H4 SUs using MB needles and Red piston springs).

However I have found something that worries me a little. I noticed quite a loud noise from inside the valve cover, more of a squeak than a knock - especially with the oil filler cap removed - definitely a squeak. The frequency suggests just one valve, otherwise really quiet. The photo shows what I found when I took off the valve cover. No.2 rocker off-centre of the valve stem. Now I don't know whether this is related to the sound I heard but what do you others think about this on a split new (remanufactured) engine? Grounds for concern or even complaint? Or nothing to worry about?

Rocker clearances ranged from around 9 to 12 thou (lukewarm) which maybe accounts for the low level of clatter so I will open them up to 15 and see what it sounds like with the valve cover off. Maybe I can localise the squeak.

I look forward to your opinions

Andy

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Re: Valve rocker out of line #2
paddyreardon Paddy Reardon Calne, Wiltshire., United Kingdom 1956 MG Magnette ZA	Posted: April 15, 2012 02:49PM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 135

Hi Andy,

From your picture the rocker looks like it's bent. It shouldn't have caused any damage but needs replacing.

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Re: Valve rocker out of line #3
enigmas Vince Stok Melbourne, Australia	Posted: April 16, 2012 03:35AM Registered: 3 years ago Posts: 389

I'm with Paddy re: the rocker arm. Replace it, check the shaft and set the tappets correctly. There should not be great variations between the clearances on either inlet or exhaust. As for the remanufactured engine...these issues are not unknown...it's a matter of lack of quality control!

Note: On a reconditioned rocker arm, the rocker face should have been resurfaced. There should be no ridges or old wear patterns visible.

I once had an engine rebuilt (Triumph 2.5 PI) by a reputable company, only to find (purely by chance) that bolts had been left undone in the timing cover and were working loose (into the chain) and that the crankshaft thrusts were machined oversize for standard thrust bearings with the result that one fell out and ruined the crankshaft thrust surface.

Result: I assemble my own engines.

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Re: Valve rocker out of line #4
B-racer Jeff Schlemmer Minnesota, USA 1958 MG magnette 1971 MG MGB "POS" 1973 MG Midget MkII 2006 Dodge Charger "Daytona" 2008 Ford Super Duty	Posted: April 25, 2012 08:07AM Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 12,506

Is the pushrod also pushed to one side? It could be a poorly installed bushing in the rocker, or it could just be the wrong rocker. It seems to me that tthe rockers have an offset to one side, and that may be the wrong one in place? Any others look similar?

jeff@advanceddistributors.com

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Re: Valve rocker out of line #5
Clacksman Andy Dear Central Scotland, United Kingdom 1957 MG Magnette ZB "Maggie - Aren't They All?" 1997 MG F 2004 MG ZT-T	Posted: April 25, 2012 11:12AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 104

I would just like to close this thread by saying that Ivor Searle Ltd. Warranty Dept. immediately agreed that the rocker was bent, apologised, and sent me a whole reconditioned shaft assemby by return of post, and arranged collection of the faulty shaft all at their expense. The only cost to me was my time replacing the shaft.

The car is on the road again with an extra kick of BHP from the new 1800 3-main engine.

Andy

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Re: Valve rocker out of line #6
magnette486 Trevor Jones Somerset, United Kingdom 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone	Posted: April 25, 2012 12:28PM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 89

Hi Andy

Great news it is all sorted and you can terrify the locals with all that power
Kind regards
Trevor

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Re: Valve rocker out of line #7
Wray Wray Lemke ., South Carolina, USA 1956 MG MGA 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone 1973 MG MGB 1974 MG MGB GT 1974 MG MGB GT	Posted: April 25, 2012 05:22PM Registered: 11 years ago Posts: 10,985

A 3-main is sweet. Makes the car so much more fun to drive.

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Re: Valve rocker out of line #8
mjamgb michael anderson NORTHERN NEVADA, USA 1954 MG Magnette ZA 1967 MG MGB 1973 MG MGB 1974 MG Midget	Posted: April 25, 2012 05:26PM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 6,395

That is excellent news and enjoy!

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Re: Valve rocker out of line #9
Clacksman Andy Dear Central Scotland, United Kingdom 1957 MG Magnette ZB "Maggie - Aren't They All?" 1997 MG F 2004 MG ZT-T	Posted: April 26, 2012 04:30AM Registered: 4 years ago Posts: 104

You are right Wray. Took it out for a trial after setting the carbs up. Amazing! It actually drives like I think I remember my first Magnette did 46 years ago!

Trevor, Your header and exhaust sounds incredible now.

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Re: Valve rocker out of line #10
magnette486 Trevor Jones Somerset, United Kingdom 1958 MG Magnette ZB Varitone	Posted: April 26, 2012 07:28AM Registered: 2 years ago Posts: 89

Hi Andy

Pleased to hear all is well now, did you balance the engine? It is interesting the exhaust works better with the larger capacity engine, Another owner with a 2 litre MGB engine says that the performance of the exhaust was even better than when he had the 1.8 litre engine, gas velocity helps the system work better.

Kind regards
Trevor

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