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MG TD TF 1500 - TF Side and Valve Cover

I have a non-standard valve and side cover on my engine. I like the looks of them but I have a problem with the side cover. Oil gets blown out of the center vent. I haven't figured a way to stop the oil and still maintain a good pressure-relief.
Two questions:
1. Does anyone have any thoughts on lessening the oil that gets blown out through the vent?
2. Does anyone have a source (or sources) for replacement valve and tappet covers?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Larry


LD Kanaster

Larry: Search the archives about this a few month ago. There was a topic that covered this very issue.
Christopher Couper

Hi Larry
I have the exact same side cover and have a very similar valve cover. Yes, they look cool. I've had no problem with oil leakage on my set up. None at all on the side cover.
I wonder if the vent on your valve cover is clogged. There has to be some sort of air/pressure vent up there.
It's been a while since I had the side cover off, but I recall that there is a sort of baffle on the inside of that vent to redirect oil away from it.

Tom
'54 TF
T Norby

Larry,
Found it and reactivated for you.
See:
Thread: Stopping the oil leak on the Moss tappet cover
David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

Dave-- Thank you for your help, especially in reactivating the old thread. I tried putting a gasket material cover just behind the vent cover to reduce the flow of oil but it hasn't really done much. I did have some scotch scrubber material in the vent for the same reason and I just removed it to see if there is any difference. I will find out, of course, when I get the car out on the road. If the vent is to prevent pressure from building, does the size of the hole in the gasket need to be a minimum size? Rather than a 1/2" hole wouldn't a 1/4" hole also work yet reduce the amount of oil? Also, if the oil goes through the gasket hole towards the vent some of the oil must then get trapped between the gasket and the cover. Should there be a couple of small holes in the lower section of the gasket to allow this oil to return?
I am thinking about making something similar to LaVerne's, i.e. a baffle on the inside of the cover that would still allow venting but not so much the oil.

Larry
LD Kanaster

From the little I can see of your vent cap, it looks like it might be a non-vented type. Try running the engine with the cap loosened or removed to see if the oil flow from the side cover slows or stops. If so, get a vented cap.
Jack Long

I have the same covers on my TF. The correct air filters (Vokes of Guildford) and a breather pipe from the valve cover to one filter solved my oil leak issues.

Regards,

Jan
Jan Emil Kristoffersen

A baffle on the inside of the cover is what I did. pix of it on the other thread.
David Sheward 55 TF1500 # 7427

In reference to Jan's comment about the filters, I have Guildford filters with the vent piping off the valve cover. The piping is clean with just a few drops of oil getting to the air filter.

I guess my next step is to install a baffle of some sort similar to Dave and LaVerne's. Question-- Is there any concern about drilling screw holes in the side cover (aluminum)? Would JB Weld work (it is supposed to be good to 600 degrees F)?
Should I still make sure there are some holes at the bottom of the gasket so any oil/oel that gets between the gasket and the cover can drain back to the sump?
Why does my head ache from all of these questions?

Thanks for your inputs. I appreciate them all.

Larry
LD Kanaster

This thread was discussed between 20/07/2014 and 21/07/2014

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.