rocker covers and air filters

[ampwhu]

i want to fit an alloy rocker cover but can't seem to find any that have the little 'spout' that has a rubber hose going to the black air filter housing. i'd also like to fit one of those 'pancake' air filters.

whats the best solution to this? do they make an alloy cover with this? if i used a pancake filter, where would the rubber hose go?

thankyou

[bmcecosse]

Alloy rocker cover = waste of money. They amplify rocker gear noise, and if no breather connection you will be back in a week asking about the oil leak at the crankshaft tail ....... You don't want a 'pancake' air filter - they lose you power because the surface is too close to the carb inlet. You probably want a K&N 'taper' type (real or close copy) which has adequate filter area and keeps the face away from the carb inlet. Plenty on ebay. But they are a good bit noisier - and frankly on a standard engine - won't make it go any better.......They pay off when an engine has been upgraded and needs more air than the standard air filter can supply.

[ampwhu]

what about asthetic's?

[bmcecosse]

You can't beat the BMC rocker cover - it's an engine - aesthetics don't come into it! Think of the steel cover as being 'Deco' Practicality is everything. Any alloy covers I've seen look ghastly anyway......and - if not fitted exactly right - the rockers can rub/knock on the alloy. They certainly don't serve any useful purpose.

[faversham999]

I have a Chrome Plated rocker cover and just wating for my Air filter to come back from Chrome Plating bet it will looks real tacky but I am no good at painting

[Bazzalucas]

Sorry to revive an old thread, but as Christmas approaches and with it the possibility of an alloy rocker cover under the tree, I'd like those who have these fitted to say honestly whether they reduce rocker gear noise, amplify it, or don't make any difference. In the Moss catalog, it's billed as quieting valve train noise. Truth or fiction? (Oh, and with respect, I think they look terrific!) Cheers and Happy Christmas!

[bmcecosse]

Each to their own......

[chrisryder]

i've got one (see my sig), in my defense it came on the car so it didnt cost me anything, i just chose to keep it on. i can't honestly tell if it makes any difference to engine noise, but it's a refreshing change of scenery to otherwise repetitive engine bays at rallies, especially all-minor ones.

[mike.perry]

I like my alloy rocker box cover with a flip top filler. Cost me £2 which is probably within Roy's budget.[frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

I wouldn't have one - if it was given to me.......... But in any case - you should know my limit is £1 max........

[chrisryder]

just thought of a gripe with my rocker cover that could be thrown into this discussion:

where the standard steel one has two 'plates' inboard to hold the gasket outwards, the cast one (mine at least) has no such method of retention, and fitting the cover was always plagued with the gasket sliding inwards much to my annoyance.

it was rectified with the aid of a handle pillar drill and stout vice. drilled and tapped some very small (M3 i think) holes around the gasket face of the rocker cover, then loctited the bolts in. Lopped the heads off with a saw and sharpened the 'studs' to a point so that they don't stick out so far as to stop the gasket compressing, but just offer enough purchase to hold the gasket in place.

it's a doddle now

[bmcecosse]

Inventive!

[Declan_Burns]

Just glue the cork seal to the rocker cover and when dry grease the area between the seal and the head-much easier and saves the hassle of possibly having to renew the seal when setting the valve gaps.
Regards
Declan

[RogerRust]

Sorry it's off topic but here is my MG engine bay!!

.[frame][/frame]

[dellerie]

got my pancake filter and a small filter for the rocker cover. just need the alloy rocker cover now.

anyone?

[bmcecosse]

'Pancake' filters are hopeless - you want a taper-cone type - K & N are one well-known brand but there are perfectly good others out there for less money. 'Small filter' for the rocker cover = major oil leaks from the engine. Don't do it! The crankcase must be kept under light suction to prevent oil leaks - that's why the breather connects to the air filter on early cars, and (much better) directly to the carb on later models.