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MG TD TF 1500 - Help with new engine & grille paint

I just started the rebuilt engine of a 53 RHD TD. Everything went fine except I removed the valve cover while it was running at about 2000 rpm and noticed that only 4 rocker rods were turning. I installed new tappets as the old ones had not been turning and wore a rectanglear wear pattern on the tappets.I rotated the rods but they did not start turning. Is there any way that the tappets could be rotating but not the rods? Also the interior in the car is green. Does anyone know the proper green color to paint the grille slats? These are blue (a very sun faded green). Thanks for any help and have a good day!

John
John Progess

John, I know of no mechanism designed to rotate the pushrods. The bottom of the tappets are shaped to cause them to rotate. The bottom of the pushrod is just sitting in the cup on the top of the tappet.

I would expect green slats with a green interior. But, then comes the 'which green' question. Bud
Bud Krueger

John,

My '50 TD is black with a green interior. For the slats I've used Alwood green CCGN37 (Moss has it) because that color had a good match. See pic.
However, you could also use Woodland Green CCGN29.

Jasper


Jasper L Nederhoed

An auto paint jobber or body shop or home center could scan a piece of the upholstery and mix an exact match.
George Butz

In my experience, pushrods may or may not turn in harmony with the tappet, depending on the friction between the tappet cup and the pushrod ball. If the tappets are all turning you have no problem, as far as I can see.

Tom Lange
Bar Harbor, Maine
t lange

You can use Ace Hardware John Deere green, it is pretty close. Otherwise, for a slightly darker green, there is a Hunter Green. I always feel the slats should be 'cheerful' and so opt for a brighter color.

warmly,
dave
Dave Braun

Try loosening up the rockers a few thou John and see if you see any improvement.
LaVerne

Last night I readjusted the valve clearance and I removed the side cover so I could check the lifters. I could easily rotate each lifter but I did not have the side cover off during the running of the engine so when the engine was running I don't know if all the lifters were rotating. Could you run the engine with the side cover off or will there be too much oil flowing? Thanks for the help.

John
John Progess

Regarding the radiator paint for the radiator slats be aware that many of the spray can paints , Moss' included, will discolor if antifreeze from the radiator gets on the slats.
Dallas Congleton

John, I think you will create quite a mess with the side cover removed. All the oil from the rocker arm area drains back to the sump via the holes for the push rods. If you are talking about just idling speed, maybe you are willing to clean the left side engine area. I'd rather mark the tops of the push rods with some sort of marker and check it that way with only the rocker cover removed.
Jim Merz

This thread was discussed between 21/09/2011 and 22/09/2011

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