So, now that it's 70 and sunny out more often than it's not (Though,
saturday did dawn with snow on the ground. I hate cincinnati weather) my
thoughts have again turned to that thing that often fills mens hearts in the
spring. Getting that oily hulk out of the garage and actually driving it
without fear it's going to fall to pieces around me like a Keystone Kops
movie.
I have a 73B that's structurally in good shape, mechanically fixable, and
itching for a drive.
It leaks oil. Alot. The last time I ran it long enough to generate an oil
leak, I still wasn't able to determine where the oil is coming from. It's
possibly a bad head gasket, but I suspect the tappet cover plates.
Assuming that I'd be best off replacing both the head gasket and the side
plate gaskets, is there any other place on the engine that's prone to
leaking? I'm planning on checking the oil lines and filter as well.
Also, with regard to the side gaskets...
British Automotive has a one piece replacement cover for the B engine
(http://www.mgbmga.com/tech/mgb3.htm) which, I must admit, seems to make
damn good sense to my rookie mechanic mind. Does anyone have experience with
this? The front side cover (the one with the tube) on mine seems misshapen,
and is why I think it's what's leaking. Someone may have cranked it down too
hard.
Assuming that this plate is a good idea, I'm a bit confused by the talk of
venting in the tech note. I have a 73 18V in mine that is largely desmogged
(Weber DGV, plugged air rail holes, no air pump, No PCV valve that I can
see) though there is a pipe connected to the curved tube that comes out of
the rocker cover. The other end is attached to what I'd say is the charcoal
canister.
As my car isn't subject to any Emissions laws here in Ohio, is it simply a
matter of tying the Y'ed tubes from the DGV intake manifold to the tube?
There's lots of talk in the tech note about tapping a new hole in the rocker
cover, and I got confused as to the difference.
After I get this done, I've got a radiator to replace, a full four wheel
brake overhaul, an electrical refurb and a few other things, and then she'll
be driveable.
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Chris Thompson
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