MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
Hello,
In putting on my newly acquired alloy valve cover I find that when using the cork gasket and the rubber seals up on the thumbscrews, that I am not able to reach the studs with the thumbscrews. It looks like I might be able to cut the rubber seals across the diameter reducing the thickness. Has anybody experience the same and what did you do to correct it? Also, maybe not use the cork gasket ans use a different style??
Thanks!
Maybe the rubber seal on top of the cover is a grommet, and half of it goes below the top of the hole edge.
I had the same problem until I installed ARP head studs, which are longer. You can use a simple ribber washer instead of the thick insulator if you want, or shave down what you have so its thinner?
There is a valve cover nut avalible for the alloyed valve covers. It is a little longer. I don't believe there's a thumb nut this way. One thing, you do know you need to use the cup washer over the grommet. I use the standared valve cover nut without the spacer washer with my alloyed valve cover but it kind of a PITA to get it started. I really have to push down hard on the nut when installing a new grommet. It's seems the grommets are a little thicker these days.
You might try to shave a little off the grommet at a bench grinder.
The thumb nuts only work with the stock cover. Gordon at the BHive sells a longer chrome nut, washer, etc kit that fits the alloy cover. I have this and it works fine - but its not a thumb nut.
http://bhive.tierranet.com/980valvecover.htm
I had the same issue when I assembled by rebuilt engine last spring. I cut the thick rubber washer/bushing by half of it's height installed. It fits now and I've not experienced any oil leaks to date.
Thanks everybody for the input. It looks like I made a mistake in purchasing the thumbscrews for my alloy cover. I'm going to try to make them work with the suggestions above otherwise I'll purchase the kit from Gordon and put these up on the trader!
Thanks again!
I'm not running any rubber washer up top and have had no leaks.
Make sure you tighten them down more them finger tight. While they might be "thumb" nuts, if I don't tighten mine with a pair of pliers (and a rag to keep from scratching them), oil leaks around the bottom of the cover.
Dang that's a shinny Engine Block Rick. When you goin to show us the rest?
Mick M.