Morris Minor Owners Club

I have had a ticking noise suddenly appear which is only apparent when the engine revs are raised or when the engine is under load. It is like a tappet type of noise and I would be grateful of any advice please.

Big ends rattling? What's the oil pressure reading?

Its more of a top end rattle rather than bigend.I haven't got an oil pressure guage unfortunately.

Oil pressure gauge is the TOP priority - comes before anything else... Could be pinking then - retard the timing slightly - or try a couple of gallons of top grade fuel - after running the tank down first....

Ive reset the tappets and also fitted an oil pressure guage.The oil guage shows excellent pressure.
The ticking noise sounds as though it is from the rear of the engine internally.It doesn't have the harshness of a bigend noise.

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Only saying this due to the experience I had with a similar noise from the rear of the engine. Mine was found to be one of the tensioner rubbers had come off the camshaft timing gear. Replaced the lot and the engine ran as smooth as a wristwatch. No way would I have associated the noise from the rear of the engine to be that, but it certainly was.

Hi Robbie is it a noise that became more apparent under load and disappeared on tickover?

Tickover quiet, revving the engine made it louder. Driving the car, then yes it got louder under load, but really bad on over-run, letting your foot off the throttle downhill etc. Listening to the engine with a large screwdriver for a stethescope, the noise was most prominent at the top of the engine around number four cylinder. Felt 100% certain it was either a tappet noise or a worn rocker shaft. As it turned out, the rocker shaft was worn, but replacing it made no difference.
I lost count of how many times I set the tappets, even making them 2 thou tighter just to see if I could make a difference to the noise.
Be worth taking the timing chain cover off and having a look if everything else has been tried.

Could be pinking, if you ease off the throttle does it stop?
Forget that, it wouldn't happen on the over-run.

Exhaust pipe rubbing on the body ??

I've known a slight blow at the exhaust manifold to sound similar, or could just be a marble in the ash tray

exhauset is fine,no blows..or marbles lol I will try the screwdriver check as a stethoscope.

The rattle is certainly more apparent when screwdriver listening on the rocker cover end nearest to the rear of the engine.
When I listen going forward of the car the noise isn't there.

Hope its not,BUT an increase in the noise on over run is one of the classic signs of big ends,but more of a knocking than a ticking.If you don't find out if its something else,and it could be anything, would be worth dropping the sump and examining the bearings before the crank is damaged. GOOD LUCK

I can't remember - have you fitted a (very essential) oil pressure gauge?

Put a video up on you tube so we can hear the noise?

Unfortunately Its been confirmed as lower end bearing noise.I have either a replacement engine or I can buy some shells depending on what sort of job it is?

Drop the sump and show us the centre main shell - and a big end shell....

sorry to hear that ,but thought as much,is the rest of the engine,in good order,if the crank is OK and it hasn't been clattering for a long time may be OK to fit new shells. But if rest of engine is worn probably b etter to get a decent engine and then rebuild yours to whatever spec you feel like.