Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi have set and checked tappets several times using the rule of nine but have got one that is noisy is there any way of finding which one with the cover off or not.any help would be great thanks.

i had this , so i rechecked them and had one that needed adjusting , so next time i will double check

You can try to listen to them with a wooden stick - or feel then with your finger on the rocker as the engine gently idles.. But best way is to pull the push rods, take the side covers off and inspect each 'tappet' *really a 'cam follower' for problems on the underside wear face. Only hook one out a at a time - and if ok put it back where it came from!

Great thanks a lot will have a look tomorrow see if I can sort it.

I have in the past detected a more tappety than usual valve clearance by sliding a feeler gauge into the gap while the engine is running, when you find the loose one the tapping stops so you can stop the engine and investigate. It's messy and you ruin a feeler gauge but it works - just make sure you use an old set of feelers. It was the normal way to set clearances on a Viva by feeling the 'drag' as you pulled the correct sized gauge through and adjusted the locking nut.

Note - DO NOT loosen the head nuts - just release the push rods by slackening the adjusters right up and then move the rocker sideways to release the push rod - and 'wiggle' it as you lift it up. You will need to turn the engine to get them all out. As you push each rocker sideways - inspect the wear on the shaft.......

While you have the push rods out tip the rocker up and examine the face that bears on the valve.
The hardening is very thin and once it's gone they wear fast making the gaps very difficult to set.