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MG MGA - Tappet?

I broke a stud torqueing the head. I removed the rocker assembly and the number 1 pushrod to replace the broken stud. When I put things back together the rocker assembly does not seat to the head and number one valve is very tight. What did I do? did the tappet slip out of place? Is that possible? How do I fix it? When I hand crank to motor number one does not move. What can I do?
David Holmes

read the archives and it seems that when I pulled the pushrod out I scked the tappet up with it. It is probably not seated correctly. But How do I get it back in place? any tricks?
David Holmes

David. The strength of the valve spring should have seated the tappet if it was pulled up slightly. Thus, one possible scenario is that the tappet was pulled up and fell out of its proper hole. Might I suggest that, while it is a minor bit of work, removing the front tappet cover is in order? At that point, you may observe what actually exists. While it is great fun to throw out ideas about what might have happened, only you are in a position to determine, by removing the tappet cover and inspecting, what has actually happened.

You will have to, at least, remove the carbs and heat shield. Perhaps, you will have to remove the intake manifold and pull the exhaust manifold back to provide sufficient clearance. You will, probably, have to replace the tappet cover gasket and, if you have to remove the manifold(s), you may need to replace the manifold to cylinder head gasket. I presume you used a new one if you had to remove the cylinder head to get at the broken stud. If so, it may hold up. I keep extras on hand and would replace any gasket which had already been tightened as a preventive meassure. Not sure it is absolutely necessary, but the cost of the parts is minor compared to the amount of labor and time involved in re-using an old gasket and having it prove faulty.

Les
Les Bengtson

David -
You will be able to see the tappets 'down the holes' once the rocker gear and other pushrods are removed by shining a pencil torch down an adjacent hole.

Depending on where it is lying, you may be able to fiddle it back into place, if not, them follow Les's method, but it is worth trying a bit of keyhole surgery first.

To avoid lifting the tappet with the push rod, just raise the push rod slightly, and then wobble it from side to side untill you feel the tappet let go and drop back down onto the cam lobe again.

Cheers
Ian F



Ian Fraser

Thanks Les and Ian. After I sat and thought it through I am resolved to try to wiggle it back in place as Ian suggests and if that fails then I'll start dismantling. Thanks again to this board for the support.
David Holmes

Yes, the tappet had fallen to the side and would not fiddle back in. Had to remove the manifold et al to get clearance. New gaskets and assembly next. Another day just to get back to where it was. Oh well, it's a hobby and pretty fun all told. Thanks for the shoulders to lean on.
David Holmes

This thread was discussed on 26/07/2006

MG MGA index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGA BBS is active now.