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MG TD TF 1500 - Bolt Tightening Tips wanted

I was installing the tappet cover today on the TD.

I know you want to have the nuts at about the same pressure so you do not distort the cover.

I would appreciate any tips from the group on how they get each nut to approximately the same tension?

Bruce Cunha

Not aware of any tool for this job Bruce. Just do each up until some resistance is felt and then tighten both a little more equally. I think the purpose of the large "nuts" is to prevent over tightening, ensuring its done by hand. Don't tighten one fully and then the other though. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Peter, I think he means the side cover, over the tappets, rather than the top cover over the rockers. Bud
Bud Krueger

You could be right Bud. When adjusting the tappets you obviously have to remove the rocker cover, hence my comment. I read it the other way with the side cover or breastplate covering the cam followers. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Its a good question, as its very easy to overtighten them and distort the cover. Maybe there are some recommended torque values somewhere.
Dave H
Dave Hill

Those particular bolts (are they not technically sleeve nuts?) are problematic because they are pot-metal fittings, and very definitely stretch with over-tightening. Eventually, in a misguided attempt to stop the leaking cork gasket, a nut will get tightened to the point where the waist gets stretched too thin, and it snaps. Then all your careful installation work has to be un-done to remove the broken shaft.

In general, if they are straight and not stretched, I tighten the side cover sleeve nuts to 6 ft/lbs of torque, on the assumption that they are about the same as 6mm bolts. If they are at all stretched I toss them.

The bigger problem is stopping the side cover leaks, which - if one insists on using cork gaskets for originality, Bruce - is not easy. It's a vicious circle of tightening enough to stop leaks, but not so much that the bolts get stretched.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

I think the sleeve nuts were deliberately made of monkey metal to act as shear points to prevent distortion.
I have seen the nice Moss monogrammed ones nearly turn the cover plate inside out.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

In addition to tightening the tappet cover nuts to "mechanic's tight", here are some other points that George Pardee,the TF race car owner and driver who is building my engine, told me:

> Use brass tappet cover nuts instead of the zinc alloy original nuts to lessen chance of stretching/splitting. FTFU #XTAP4, or Abingdon Spares #03-019A. They will be painted engine color and won't show.

> He suggests Tom Lange's tappet cover gasket.

> If not Tom's gasket, then he recommends using two cork gaskets. He said was commonly done in the day.

Here is my one-time experience attaching the tappet cover about four years ago:

> I used only one cork gasket. It sealed perfectly. Personally, I fear that two gaskets would allow the cover to deform as it's tightened.

> I used Permatex Super "300" Form-a-Gasket Sealer 80057 on both sides of the gasket, block, and cover. Can be messy if you aren't careful. Thicker than aviation sealer and takes longer to cure. Doesn't harden. Plus, George and I were able to remove the cover from the TF with gentle prying when we tore down the engine for rebuild.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Hmmmmm

In looking over George Pardee's recommendation for gaskets, I wonder if he was talking about the gasket for the top cover, the one that we call the "valve cover", instead of the side cover. I could see using two cork gaskets there, but not on the side cover.

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Generally speaking, 7 lbs/ft is recommended for stamped side covers. But you should be able to get them close enough just by feel. They don't have to be exactly the same torque, just close.

Silicon gaskets do seal better but you can get cork to seal also if you're determined. Use sealer on both sides of the gasket, paying special attention to where the head and block come together.
Steve Simmons

The majority of Rocker Cover and/or Side Engine Plate leaks occur because
of imperfections in the sealing surfaces.

Typically the Rocker Cover's flange is often compromised by previous owners using screwdrivers to release the 'fused' Cover from the Cylinder head surface ! Localised indents can occur and/or twisting(wind) particularly with regard to the Rocker Cover.

I have written an extensive article on Rocker Cover leaks and their rectification on the 'MGTC Owners Club WA' website which should make for some interesting reading for those having trouble with sealing their Covers.

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

Great discussion.

I usually do not seal valve and lifter cover gaskets on both sides with sealant so it is possible to take the cover off without damaging the gasket. For the side cover, I did seal both sides. But I also put the plate on a machined surface and lightly sanded it to check for a flat surface.

I used Permatex The Right Stuff as I have had good luck with it for other engines.

I found that my big and small click type torque wrenches only go down to 10 ft/lb. That was one of the reasons for my question. I don't use them frequently enough to shell out for a dial type.

So after posting this, I did remember that I have a beam type torque wrench that I use on my trailer lugs. Not accurate enough for precision, but it does give me a ballpark reading that allows me to get close.





Bruce Cunha

Thanks Rob,

Here are links to Robs rocker & tappet cover article on the MG TC Owners Club Western Australia website plus his article on TF Originality. Well written.

> MG T-TYPE AND Y-TYPE ORIGINAL ROCKER COVER AND SIDE ENGINE PLATE – NO LEAKS!
http://www.mgtcownersclub.com/restorers-corner/mg-t-y-type-rocker-covers

> ORIGINALITY DETAILS - MG TF 1250, MG TF 1500
http://www.mgtcownersclub.com/mg-tf-concours-originality

Lonnie
TF7211
LM Cook

Hi Lonnie,

Thankyou for your reference referrals of the articles on the MGTC Owners Club WA. Of course the mgtf Originality/Authenticity Details are just 'the tip of the iceberg in reality'. I will probably add further detail in the future.

You I believe have Alligators whereas we have Crocodiles however it is nice to be on the same wave length and page !

Cheers
Rob Grantham
TF3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

This thread was discussed between 23/03/2019 and 24/03/2019

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