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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - my lifter solution

As you all remember, last month after about 60 exciting miles, I had a lifter collapse. As it turns out, I am to blame. I simple did not check preload in the engine and had something like 70 or 80 thousanths preload. This caused one of my Isky lifters to collapse. I was lucky, it happened close to home and I figured it out quickly.

What I did was got a new lifter (Isky GAVE me a new one). I had purchased a set of adjustable pushrods off eBay last year, but for somereason, didn't put them in. I checked them for straightness in a lathe and the adjustable pushrods were not straight. What's worse, I could actually bend them straight using just my hands. These are considered junk to me.

I decided to not use adjustable pushrods afterall. What I DID do is purchase a set of Comp-Cam +200 pushrods for the small block chevy. (5/16 dia, and 8.000 inches long). This is .031 shorter than the stock rover pushrods (8.031"). I have now ended up with preload in the .020 range using these pushrods. It is very slightly noisy (not quite as bad as solid lifters, but not super-super quiet either.

I did drill out the holes in the heads (that the pushrods go through) to 7/16 (they are 3/8 stock) with the heads on the engine. This is easy to do if you put an oil soaked towel in the valley to catch any chips from the drilling.

Anyway, my engine is back together and even in this 104 temperature in Oklahoma, it has yet to overheat. It is a blast to drive (I don't even use 1st gear). It will smoke the tire in 2nd and 3rd just by flooring it. What a ride, and it sounds great.
Richard Morris

Richard, looking forward to seening you again and your new V8 for the first time at the KC All British. Sounds like you have a really nice conversion.
Bill Young

This thread was discussed between 09/08/2006 and 10/08/2006

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