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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Tappet Cover Gasket

I have a 1954 TF with a non-standard tappet cover. The cover is the rib version with a 1/2"x3" covered vent above the center stud. There is no other vent
such as the breather pipe on the standard cover. I had oil leaking from this vent. I removed the cover and found the cork gasket was very brittle and was bowed inward towards the tappets. The gasket had the normal holes in it, i.e. 2 at the top and the bottom and 3 in the middle for the studs. There were also 3 holes where the vent is located.
I have a couple of questions:
(1)Would I get enough venting by having only one
hole at the vent, say about 1/4-1/2" diameter?
(2) I presume the holes at the top and bottom of the
gasket are for mounting on other engines. Would
these 4 holes allow enough venting such that I
would not need any additional holes at the vent
itself? I am trying to avoid any oil escaping
throught the vent. I am thinking that with the
running a vacuum is probably created which would
tend to pull the gasket inwards thus allowing air
to circulate via these holes.

Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.
LD Kanaster

I dont know about the TF but the TD has other holes in the gasket and they all bow in after use.
Tom Maine (TD8105)

Hello Larry. Does the vent have any packing in it. The vent is there to allow blow by from the rings to exaust from inside the block. There is positive pressure inside not vacuum. Many of the vents I have seen have a packing inside similar to the steel gauze in the stock air cleaner.

Butch Taras
VMG
NEMGTR #1687
R Taras

LD - I have always believed that the holes at the top and bottom of the gasket are drain holes. You should have enough venting with these holes alone. I pack vents with part of a stainless steel scrub from the hardware store.

If you have lots of oil coming out the vent I would do compression and leak-down tests, because you may have excessive blow-by, due to worn rings and cylinders.

Sorry. Tom Lange
Bar Harbor, Maine
t lange

Larry,
From your description, the vent is on the upper part of the tappet cover,,, does it come straight out? or is it curved down? Is the vent piece removable so it can be turned up??

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Thank you all for your comments on my tappet problem. The vent is not removable, other than the cover, thus it cannot be adjusted. I have been considering covering the vent, on the inside, with a gauze material of some type. I had not thought of packing the material in the vent itself. This sounds like a good idea with nothing to lose at least.
I did a leak-down check and the pressures were all good. I will try packing the vent and see what happens.
LD Kanaster

Can you send/post a picture so we can see what you have???
STEVE WINCZE

Larry, sounds like the same setup I have although I have taken the valve cover and tappet cover off and returned to the originals, for now. If memory serves me then the top of the vent should have a screw that when removed allows access to the inside so that you can pack it. A picture would be great as it is better than a thousand words and speculation. From what I have seen there were many different dress-up items available so please....a picture.
Brian Smith (1950 TD3376)

Sorry about not sending a photo. I keep trying but the magic electric box tells me the file is too large. At any rate, I am going to try leaving the gasket as it is without adding any vent hole. I am using a Scotch scrubbing pad to fill the vent. The pad is green in color, slightly stiff but breathable, and is about 1/4" thick. I cut the pad to fit the width of the vent hole and then folded the pad for a snug fit. I think it should work OK (I hope!).
I will write again when I get the car running.
LD Kanaster

if You have windows, go to your gallery and go to OPEN chose Microsoft office picture manager. go to Pictures and open resize and put in web large 640x380 and save it and then you can send it on to this site when it is the right size.
Tom Maine (TD8105)

This thread was discussed between 19/01/2012 and 23/01/2012

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