Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi, me again!
I'm a bit confused im sorry to say
I read in an old general car manual that in order to adjust the tappets of a car you take off the rocker cover loosen the locknut and adjust the tappets to the correct clearance with a screw driver by aid of a feeler gauge (as in the image ive uploaded). This all looked fairly easy to follow but now ive read the morris workshop manual and its talking about using three special spanners!
I understand the rule of 9 but now don't know which method to follow as the latter I think is a bit beyond me both in tools avaliable and understanding [frame][/frame]

Spanner, screwdriver and feeler gauges are all you need.

Agreed, spanner for the locknut, screwdriver to adjust, and feeler gauge for the gap. Rule of 9 requires more turning of the handle than setting several vales at the same time, but is really simple to use, and works well.

There can be discussion on the exact gap to use, but the manual is clear that you set clearance with the engine cold, and set all valves to 12 thou clearance - it's even cast on the manifold.

Well -the tappets are actually down inside the block on an OHV engine (and known as cam followers these days) - and they have no gap. The gap is instead at the rocker arm to valve tip interface. And yes - ring spanner (7/16" or 1/2" AF depending on year) and a good screwdriver - and the feeler gauge. Yes - way back in the 1950s a 12 thou gap was recommended. Since then - many changes in fuel makeup, not least the removal of the lead. MG Rover changed the gap specified to 15 thou many years ago, and I strongly recommend you use 15 thou on the exhausts although 12 thou is still fine on the inlets because they don't get so hot. By all means use 15 on them all! Essential to check and reset every 3000 miles too.

ok thanks all

This all looked fairly easy to follow but now ive read the morris workshop manual and its talking about using three special spanners!

That's on the early flat head engines, not theOHV.

I know this has been covered before but a search drew a blank. Is the valve line up from the front IEEIEEIE?

No, it's EIIEEIIE

Trickydicky wrote:I know this has been covered before but a search drew a blank. Is the valve line up from the front IEEIEEIE?

For myself, I take a glance at the inlet and exhaust manifolds, that confirms which valve is which, when you cant find the flippin manual because the wifes tidied up.