13 replies to this topic

[bobbym18]

Hi all, 

 

I went to adjust my valve clearances today after refitting the rocker after changing the cylinder head recently. I noticed that the number 3 push rod was a couple of centimetres higher than the rest.

 

I took the tappet cover off the back, after a lot of fiddling, and found the tappet was higher than the others. I took the tappet out and put my finger in the hole to see if something had fallen in but all i could feel is what i believe is the cam shaft?

 

I stuck a magnetic screwdriver down to be sure but there was nothing.

 

I tried putting the car in gear and pushing to try and get some movement to see if it helped but nothing happened. Ive read an old thread on here and things dont sound good :S

 

Any help appreciated.

 

Thanks

 

998cc 1986 mini city 

[mini danny]

This happened to me before when removing the push rods. One of the tappets came out of it sleeve/hole and when refitting the push rod it was higher than the rest. Just take the tappet out and put it back in. Making sure you put it in the right way. Flat side down and open end upwards. Refit push rod and see what it's like


Dan

[bobbym18]

I have done that. I've had the tappet out, cleaned it of any debris and put my finger down the hole, put the tappet back in but still higher, I've tried this about 3 times :/

[mini danny]

How much higher ? As the tappets won't all be at the same height ? As the cam lobes highest point are all in different places


Dan

[bobbym18]

It was about 2 cm. it was so high I couldn't push the rocker all the way onto the head.

[Spider]

Someone hasn't previously fitted a 1275 pushrod in to that tappet? They are about 3/8" (10 mm) longer than all others. There is also another early pushrod that's a little longer (about 4 mm) than the later ones too, but off hand, I can't recall what these were fitted to.

[bobbym18]

No it's definitly the correct push rod. It's the tappet that isn't going down as far as it should

[myredmini]

If that valve is on full or partial lift it will be like that.

[bobbym18]

so do you think i should just pop the car in gear and try turning it over more? 

 

when i tried last time there seemed to be little movement from any valves. Could there be a problem with the cam shaft? 

[spiguy]

how far did you move the car with it in gear?  It would take a few feet of car movement to do much if it's in 4th gear. 

[bobbym18]

I moved it probably 7 feet or so. the tappet just didnt seem to move at all

[bobbym18]

any ideas?

[mini danny]

Take the plugs out and move the car forward with it in gear and see if goes down at all ?

Dan

[Gremlin]

It may not fall on it's own while turning over, you may have to keep stopping and pushing it down with your hand