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Re: Oil, Oil Everywhere, and not a drop to...73 B

To: Dan Ray <danray@bluegrass.net>
Subject: Re: Oil, Oil Everywhere, and not a drop to...73 B
From: neil.cairns@virgin.net
Date: Sun, 06 Sep 1998 06:57:01 -0700
Dan Ray wrote:
> 
> Went to change my oil today, and when finished, kablooey, new oil all over
> the place.
> I found the culprit at the valve cover. About 3 inches of gasket on the left
> side had squirmed inside the cover, allowing oil to spew out. Why it waited
> 'til then, I have no idea, other than I overfilled a tad and Punkin is just
> being considerate by not losing it at 60mph on the highway.
> Question #1: I used #2 gasket sealant when I installed, does everyone use
> this stuff? Is it better to let it "set" for a while and "glue" the gasket
> to the cover before installing? Is that where I went wrong?

A) All the 'B' series use the same rocker-cover gasket, most often a
CORK one. Quality varies though, and I use the THICK ones sold by
UNIPART, ( Rovers own spares department,) and most of our UK MG
specialists sell these. I always clean the cover up with petrol, getting
the gasket face CLEAN, DRY, and FLAT. I then use one of the modern
'Instant-Gasket' goooo to glue the cork to the cover, then putting a
thin layer of engine oil on both the head & gasket faces that are to
meet. I bolt the cover on, and this ensures I can " re-use" the cover
many, many, times. The cover is only 'nipped' down, till the gasket is
flat, NOT down hard till it is forced out of its little guides on the
cover.....the MOST COMMON cause of oil leaks. The good book gives a
torque reading of just 4, yes FOUR pounds-feet for those two nuts. I
actually use 8, but even that is very gentle.

> Question #2: Does anyone know of a more common car that will cross over
> nicely for use on a B head? 

A) As above, the gasket is the same on all other 'B' series. Datsun used
to build Austin A40 Devons, ( under licence,) they copied the 1200cc
engine well into the 1970's. One of their gaskets may fit. Best bet is
to fit as above.

The reason the gasket warped to the inside is
> that it seemed to be a fraction too large. It was ordered from Moss. In my
> neck of the woods, no shop carries gaskets for a '73 B. But it seems to be a
> pretty average size. I suppose I could make my own.

A) Not a bad idea, if you you make your own, make it a bit wider with
cut outs to locate it on the four small 'guides' in the cover. Glue it
to the cover, and oil it between the head & gasket. This ensures easy
removal and re-use. Note the torque readings above....


> My red charge light coincidentally started glaring at me at the same time,
> but since the alt and belt are on the opposite side, I probably am just due
> a belt tightening.

A) Check the brushes, they can be renewed quite easily, ( and cheaply.)

> When it rains it poors! But I love it! (I'm sick...hehe) "Punkin" is doing
> well otherwise, giving good daily service.
> Still gotta figure out that horn problem too...but it's freakin' HOT out
> there!
> 
> Dan
> 73 B

Neil.

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