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MG MGA - Tappet Cover Gasket Sizes

Over on my ceramic coated exhaust manifold thread the conversation progressed to gaskets so I decided to start a new thread on the topic.

I have just suffered a massive oil leak after fitting new tappet cover gaskets. The rear one I used a silicone seal. It was well contained in the shape of the cover I am using. No leaks. Happy. However, I could not get it to fit on my front cover. It's too long (first photo). I therefore fitted a cork gasket. It was too narrow and short but I managed to ease it into place with sealant. Unfortunately it must have retracted while I was tightening (2nd photo). It's a bit narrow and short. Can't the manufacturers get them to the correct size? Not the most difficult job?

Can someone point me to a supplier of the correct size cork gasket?

Steve






Steve Gyles

Just measured the engine tappet aperture casting. The cork gasket internal measurement is 8mm too narrow and 4mm short.

Steve
Steve Gyles

Just finished Gunking and washing down the access road to our 6 house close. Oil drops about about every foot to start with, then every few inches as I slowed. Then a big puddle in front of the garage. I don't want to do that again.

Are sheets of cork available so I can make my own gasket? Might be the way to go.

Stev
Steve Gyles

Steve. I would generally use either Brown and Gammons or MGOC for those kind of parts. However, I haven't sourced those gaskets from them recently.
John Francis

You should glue the cork to the cover first.
Dirk Van Ussel

Dirk

I did, with Wellseal gasket sealant.

Steve
Steve Gyles

You can find sheets of cork gasket material on Amazon.

Jim
JL Cheatham

I have just received a tappet cover gasket from Brown and Gammons. Much better item to the one I got from MG supplier Paul Depper via Ebay.

The B&G gasket has an internal width 5mm greater and an internal length 3mm longer. It is also slightly thicker at 4mm compared to 3mm.

Others take note. There are variations between suppliers.

Steve


Steve Gyles

The in place difference.

Steve


Steve Gyles

That certainly looks better.

I will bear it in mind for the MGB.
Dave O'Neill 2

Dave. I tried them both on the MGB tappet cover I've got kicking around. Same findings. Steve
Steve Gyles

We appear to be making a big job out of a little job--
Best way to go about it is glue the gasket to the cover with contact cement
glue the gasket and the cover and wait till they go off/dry,as per the instructions on the tube, then fit one end of the gasket to the cover in nice and tight against the shoulder on the flat surface provided, then stick the other end down the same, the long sides will probably be too long now but if you push down on each long side in the centre to stick it down then between the centre and the end then smooth it out the cork will compress enough to get the desired fit, then either grease the gasket or use sealant if you want, I like grease so you can remove the cover easy if needed and the gasket will be reuseable----don't forget the sealing washer or whatever you choose to seal the bolt

willy
William Revit

Willy

It was never my intention of making this thread a big job out of a little job. It was to highlight, yet again, a modern replacement item that does not come within expected and acceptable tolerances. I also wanted advice on a supplier with the correct gasket. Brown & Gammons came up trumps. I have already contacted the supplier to highlight the issue and suggest he contacts the manufacturer to examine and correct his measurements.

While your advice is sound for making an incorrect part work, it should not need to resort to that. With the correct part from B&G I was simply able to apply my favourite Wellseal gasket sealant to both sides and it all went together and fitted within a couple of minutes.

The defective gasket is advertised everywhere on Ebay at the moment by 'MG dealers' and advertised for the MGB. So I went as far as trying the gasket on an MGB front tappet plate cover I have in my spares draw (it came with my 1800 engine I rebuilt). Exactly the same issue with that plate. I am guessing that there are now numerous MGB owners driving around with unnecessarily weepy engines.

Steve
Steve Gyles

I've had many parts from the usual suppliers, and others, and all have some good quality parts and some piss-poor quality parts, the part quality can vary between suppliers, B&G have come up trumps this time but they don't always I've had to return parts to them and get better quality ones from elsewhere.

Classic car owners encourage low price low quality parts to be stocked by these suppliers, some even offer higher priced alternatives along with the low priced rubbish but ask them the sales ratio and you'll see why the cheap rubbish is stocked. Some of us reaped what others sowed - but then again don't we all sometimes go on price.
Nigel Atkins

Same here Nigel--The gasket sets we get here are usually that old that things like valve cover gaskets and these side cover gaskets have shrunk to an almost unfitable size--Usually a bath in a bucket of water is enough to swell them up enough to use- 'tis what it is

Steve--My apologies, it was not my intention to offend at all, just my take on how to fit dodgey gaskets
Cheers
willy
William Revit

This thread was discussed between 22/12/2022 and 31/12/2022

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