Not the usual heater valve problems

[blues2rock]

Removing the rocker cover is a simple task right? Not on my car it's not!

The heater valve (cable type) fouls the rear of the rocker cover making it very difficult to remove the cover and impossible to replace it with the gasket in place.

Close inspection shows that the edge of the valve pressing has been attacked with a hacksaw or coarse file and the rocker cover has been 'modified' with a triangular file to provide a little 'nick' without which it would be impossible to remove/refit.

I'm guessing that the heater valve is some cheapo pattern one which is just a bit larger that standard but if anyone has come across this I would be pleased to know.

All the more irritating as 3000 miles prior to me buying the car it had a (very) expensive recon engine fitted by a very well known Minor specialist. Trouble is if I order a replacement valve will I get something worth having? I don't suppose NOS ones can be found.

Am I the only one getting the hump with the quality of some parts that find their way on to Minors?

[aupickup]

poor repro parts i am guessing
or maybe the studs are slightly bent

[bmcecosse]

Can you turn the valve 180 degrees? Or just remove it and fit a stub pipe - the valve should never be closed anyway. Declan will be along soon with his picture of the extension tube he uses to get clearance......

[blues2rock]

Trying to upload a couple of photo's[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[bmcecosse]

Trim away the cable bracket if it's a problem for you.

[minor65]

When removing the rocker cover on my grey minor, the valve cable bracket stops me from lifting the rocker cover off. But when I jiggle the rocker cover about and push the bracket back slightly i usually can get it off ok. When fitting a new gasket, i normally grease the gasket to the head to keep it in place, before setting the rocker cover on.

[aupickup]

on the cylinder head ther should be a small metal plate about 3mm thick under the heater valve of course the gaskets as well

[simmitc]

This is a known problem with current parts. Having measured an old valve, that did not cause the problem, against a new one that does cause the problem, I known that the new ones are larger. I have tried the cheaper and the expensive "quality" valves, and both are the same. It is usually possible to file away some of the excess, but it is far from satisfactory. If the producers are going to mkake the part, it wouldn't cost them any more to do it right!

[Declan_Burns]

Can you turn the valve 180 degrees? Or just remove it and fit a stub pipe - the valve should never be closed anyway. Declan will be along soon with his picture of the extension tube he uses to get clearance......

Not to disappoint you Roy!
Here's the extension which is soldered/brazed up from DIY bits and pieces. The first photo shows the extension for the angled (and better!) mini heater valve on the 1098 head.
The second photo shows the same basic principle for a straight valve on a 1275 head.
Last photo shows the individual components.
If just clearance is required then just use a short piece of copper as opposed to the elbow. Ensure the pipe is a fairly tight interference fit.
Regards
Declan

1098 head for angled "mini" valve
[frame][/frame]
1275 head for straight valve[frame][/frame]
DIY components[frame][/frame]

[edd_barker]

I have the EXACT same problem, replaced heater valve with a new one and new cable as old one failed to work properly. Absolute pig to get access to remove the bolts, finally got it off and changed, all tightened up and the rocker wouldn't go back on. Cue much cursing/kicking of blue roll across driveway. It appears the part is just not made the correct size.

Let me know if you manage to file the heater tap down to successfully get clearance and I'll do the same. Didn't check tappet clearance on recent service, hoping this doesn't come back to bite me in the bum on this afternoon's drive from Surrey to Manchester.

[MarkyB]

I took an angle grinder to mine, even so I think the rocker position makes a difference to if the cover will come off or not.

[bmcecosse]

^^^ Yes - it will do.

[Bazzalucas]

Yep- I can confirm that it does!

[blues2rock]

Thank you all for your responses. I will post the results of my efforts when finished.
Fact is though I did my apprenticeship with the (then) GPO in the late sixties and worked on Minors on a daily basis. I know that I don't remember everything from those days, but I'm sure I would have remembered if this was a problem.
I can see that the position of cylinder 4 exhaust rocker might have some influence, but I definitely don't remember having to turn the engine on starting handle to get clearance!

As an aside, the drive home after I purchased the car (120 miles) the brakes were truly awful despite previous owner paying 'professionals' to replace pretty much the entire system. As he had claimed, inspection showed all new parts had been fitted including a full set of rubbish brake shoes. Once replaced with Ferodo items the brakes are now excellent. I wonder how many Minors have had expensive disc/servo 'upgrades' when good quality standard parts would have done the same job.

Sad to think that I'm not out in the Minor today but the old girl still has a few "issues" to be fixed.

[bmcecosse]

Because in the old days - the Minor didn't have a silly valve like that for the heater....it had a nice wee tap! And yes - there are some really hopeless brake shoes out there - you get what you pays for.... Drum brakes in good order are more than enough for a sensibly driven Minor..

[Bazzalucas]

Yes, I had no problems with the tap. It's when I "upgraded" to the luxury of cable-operated "angled" valve that the clearance problems began. Some day I'll put in a Declan-style riser.