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MG MGB Technical - '67 B: Rattle on start?

Guys, my '67 engine makes a death rattle sound (for all of 3 seconds) when I first start her, after she sits for a few days.

I saw a B for sale on Ebay, where the owner states that the addition of a spin-off adapter for the oil filter stops this rattle sound.

Is that accurate and can anyone tell me why?
I've been wanting to switch to a spin-off adapter, but honestly, I was wanting to do this just for less mess and easier oil changes.

Also, why would a 1275 A series motor with the same, old, stock canister system not make that rattle noise on start?

Many thanks in advance for your help.

Tony
NYC
'67-B-GT 1800
'67 Sprite 1275
Beelzie

I have a spin-on oil filter (with the opening at the bottom) and it drains back just the same and makes the engine clatter. It also makes for very messy oil changes as it pours out when you undo it.

But I've never used a canister system so I shouldn't really comment :o)
--
Olly
Oliver Stephenson

Beelzie, the spin-on adapter should definitely help IF you use a filter with a good anti-drainback valve. (That would be, most anything other than a Fram.) But if you're not an originality freak, a better way to do it is to use a remote oil filter holder and bolt it to your inner wing. That way you can hold the filter right-side up and you won't have drainback problems, Fram or not. Plus it's not gonna make a mess when you change it. It's very easy to rig, though of course you need an adapter for the fitting on the block and a couple of oil hoses ... a few minutes with the Moss catalog in one hand and the Summit Racing one in the other, and you'll be locked & loaded. The problem with the canister filters is that they do not even TRY to avoid drainback. (Plus they are just one hell of a mess.)
Ted

Beelzie, Some 74 MGs had a hang down filter adapter, if you can locate one of those the drainback valve is not an issue. It and the 1275 midget uses the same filter. My 74 has the hang down filter and it's a lot less messy to change and there is less clutter in the engine bay. I'll be looking for another one next year at Import Carlisle to go on the 68 GT. Clifton
Clifton Gordon

My 67 has the "hang down" spinner and will rattle if it sits for a couple of days. My solution is to crank it for a bit, 5 - 8 secs at a time, with the choke off. This lets the oil pump pick up a little before it fires off. Don't crank too much, you might damage the starter. It definitely doesn't rattle as much when it finally fires off!
Bud G

Olly, Ted, Clifton and Bud...muchas gracias, amigos!

In other words...(as I was concerned about)
that clanking is because there's little or no oil in the engine after it's been sitting, eh? Ugh.

Ted, that's a great idea. Guess I'll go that way.

Beelz
Beelzie

how about an inline electric oil pump. Just click it on a few seconds before you crank to let pressure build, then after its all fired up, click it off. I've never heard of any B owners doing this, but tons of other old car guys use this trick.
Bill
Bill Mertz

I have had an 18GA, 18GF, and 18GV engines, and none of them exhibited this clatter on start up. If it is truly an oil pressure/oil film problem, what is your oil pressure like initially?? Some Bs I have seen do take a few seconds to come up to pressure, and I suppose that those few seconds could be enough to allow some clatter IF the collective play in the various parts were sufficiently large.

I think I would be looking for some other source than simply a lack of oil/oil pressure. Many engines run rougher initially than they do as soon as their fuel supply/temperature stablizes just a bit. If you were to have any number of loose items such as engine mounts, the torque from a good starter could be enough, I think to shift the engine such that the loose stuff would rattle or close clearance things would collide. Just a thought and not terribly likely, but perhaps worth eliminating. Good Luck, Beelzie!
Bob Muenchausen

Uncle Bob:

Actually, she's very well sorted. When I first turn her over she's got 60lbs and at warmed idle, 40lbs.

That clatter is truly all of two seconds and then, gone. (But it is an unholy sound, for those 2 seconds, I must admit.)

Hum...



Beelzie

Well, Beelzie, I may simply be too used to the sound of a B engine starting up to discriminate the clatter from the rest of the "start up" noise on my cars. ;-) That would not be entirely impossible either; my wife seems to think that I need a hearing aid, and damn it, I think she is right. LOL. This getting older crap is a pain in the butt.
Bob Muenchausen

What was that, Bob? : )

After playing in bands for years and being around loud music in studios and clubs, I'm probably right behind you, chief.

Beelzie

This thread was discussed between 28/10/2002 and 30/10/2002

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