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MG TD TF 1500 - Tappet Cover Oil Leak

I have a problem with my tappet cover (1954 TF). The cover is non-standard and it does not have the vent pipe at the back. Instead there is a vent in the middle of the cover just above the distributor location. The vent is perhaps 1/4 inch by 3 Inches and has a cover. Oil comes out of this vent making a mess of the engine. Can I install some sort of filter material behind the cover to still allow airflow but stopping the oil flow? For that matter, why does the tappet even need a vent? What would happen if there were no vent? Could I cover the vent but leave a small opening, perhaps 1/4 inch, at the top for airflow? Would this be enough air?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.
LD Kanaster

There's a stock one on Ebay right now. You could put that on with the vent pipe and redirect that oil overboard.

No PCV on this engine so it needs a vent. I have A much older John Deere tractor with PCV but it seems most cars of that period were happy to vent the crankcase overboard. With a worn engine and a lot of blow-by, a considerable amount of rust proofing could be deposited.

Interesting that John Deere products from at least the late '40s had PCV but I have an IHC industrial from the late '60s or early '70s that has a similar vent from the tappet cover.
JE Carroll

I'm wondering if anyone has adapted a later MGB Smiths PVC valve to an XPAG engine. I have the aluminum smooth surface accessory tappet cover with two mushroom shaped vents. No oil leakage but there are noticeable fumes when stationary at stop light which, unlike the stock tin cover, are not routed to the underside of the car in a draft tube.
John Quilter (TD8986)

Had same problem years ago on a TF. We figured out the oil weas spalshing directly out from the rockers. The fix was to design a baffle that we had welded over the hole inside the cover. It was just a piece of metal, about an inch longer than the hole, leaving openings at each end. I think we mocked up out of cardboard first to make sure no interference from the rockers/supports. No more oil leak. George
George Butz

Had the same issues with a non standard alu cover on my TF. made a threaded Hole in the original position and then a rubber tube on a threaded stub with external lockout nut leading the oil mist to the rear air cleaner as per original design . Much dryer engine overall. Maybe a bit of sucking vacuum through the rubber hose? Oil filler lid was made airtight with an O- ring.

Regards,

Jan
Jan Kristoffersen

Like Jan I modified my rocker cover after a recent post here explained how the venting system on our engines worked. In my ignorance I had run without a vent for twelve months!

Regards

Mike

Mike Sutton

I suspect that Larry's talking about the side cover, over the pushrods, lifters, rather than the rocker arm cover at the top. He mentions "above the distributor".
Larry, an image might help a good bit. Bud
Bud Krueger

Pretty weld Mike.
JE Carroll

Mike: Do you have a photo of the other end of the vent pipe (non- weld end)?
Thanks Rod
Rod Murray 54TF 3006

Hello Larry. A friend had the same problem. What we did was ger some stainless steel heavy duty screen material (this was very stiff the wire was around .040 thick) we cut a piece to cover the inside opening and forced the holes open to go over the screws the that hold the cover on from the inside plus washers to spread the load. Then I got a copper pan scrubber from the market and then stuffed it inside the outside vent, cut off the excess, then took it out and removed all the stray small ends so they wouldn't fall inside the engine. The blow-by coming out of the engine gets bounced back and fourth between the copper wire mesh and drains back into the engine. The cover I worked on had two vents.

Butch Taras
Glendale, Ca.
R Taras

Rod

Here is a picture without the connecting tube. The connecting tube is a piece of alloy broomstick handle cut to fit with two bits of rubber tube.
JE. The welding was done by a one man aluminium fabricator firm I found through yellow pages. Too clever to be my work!
Mike

Mike Sutton

Hi LD?,
chech you have the correct gasket (full sheet with holes cut for tube nuts and drainage) this act as a baffle. Some people put only a rim gasket and this causes leaks.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

This thread was discussed between 08/10/2011 and 12/10/2011

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