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MG TD TF 1500 - Valve cover gasket part # question

I checked the archive and didn't see anything on valve cover gaskets. We have a few British Car Parts dealers in the area, but none stock TD parts. Need a gasket for Sunday's run and wonder if any other BMC gasket will fit the 1250 (Mini? MG midget?).

Anyone know if there is an interchangable part number?
g.b.lawson '53TD

I read somewhere that the Fiat 124 (Lada...) valve covergasket will fit with small modification to the gasket, maybe that's worth something now you're in a hurry? The A-series Mini-engine's gasket is much smaller.
If you're really desperate maybe you can cut it out of cork floor tiles?
Willem van der Veer

Check with Paul Montgomery in St. Catherines, he has them.
905-684-2611 or pmonty@vaxxine.com
George
George Merson

Thanks George...he is on vacation till Sunday... thats why the query.
g.b.lawson '53TD

Anyone happen to know the thickness of a new stock valve cover gasket?
g.b.lawson '53TD

Gord
My spare gasket from Brown & Gammons is 3.5mm thick, 1/8"
John James

Thanks all... my local hardware store sold 1/8" cork by the foot. Got one cut out and put some gasket goo on each side... certainly better then the hard/compressed 1/16th" original one. Am letting it set and will test it tonight.
g.b.lawson '53TD

Gordon ,
Did you soak the cork in oil first?
You will get a better seal that way.
Also a little trick somebody tipped me off to.
If you have problems with the gasket "creeping" under the valve cover...try tying some thread to the sides so you can pull it out under the cove r as you tighten. This works quite well.
Cheers ,
David 55 TF1500 #7427
David Sheward

Let it sit all day and took the car out tonight for an hour or so... dry as a bone. Had put gasket goop on both sides and didn't over tighten the aluminum valve cover...seems to be working fine. I didn't pre soak the gasket but this seems to have worked.
Now i can clean all the oil off everything... (does keep things from rusting however).
g.b.lawson '53TD

Gordan, this is what I've found works best for me, but YMMV. Attach the gasket to the top of the head (only) with good old stinky, sticky Permatex. Clean off the edges of the valve cover to get a good mating surface. Install it and tighten it down. The cover will press grooves into the gasket to act as a dam and keep the oil inside where it belongs. I get numerous removals of the cover this way without having to replace the gasket. And, I do not have oil running down the engine.
Bud Krueger

That was the process... gave both the cover and head a good cleaning/wiping before mating the two.
g.b.lawson '53TD

While we are on the subject of valve cover gaskets, I'm thinking of trying the SILICONE RUBBER gaskets offered by Roadster Gaskets out of Ma. They were advertised in the "Sacred Octagon" Any body have experience with these ??? Their web site is www.roadstergaskets.com

SPW
Steve Wincze

Gordon
I wanted to answer this yesterday, but had to get some TD driving in before Charlie blows through. I like Bud above use permatex to glue the gasket to the head only. I have used the same gasket for over five years. I have had the valve cover off probably fifty times since then and it is still holding. You need to clean the cast iron ring around the head off leaving no oil on surface, put permatex on one side of the gasket only, then merely put the valve cover on and tighten down the valve cover hold down nuts. Then let the permatex set up. The gasket for my car seems to be thicker than the other ones mentioned above. My valve cover gasket seems to be about 1/4 inch in thickness and about 1/2 inch wide. I don’t know if a thinner gasket would cause the rocker arms to hit the top of the valve cover. But if it is you will be the first to know.
P.S congratulations on getting your car on the road, watching it’s rebirth on this site has been very enjoyable and brings back fond memories. Oh you will soon know why some times you can’t answer some of the questions on this site, because you will have your car on the road and not glued to the barn.
Happy Motoring
I mean Safety Fast
John
John C. Hambleton III

The gasket that was on the car was about 1/32nd of an inch thick...maybe a touch thicker...and hard as the proverbial rock... The new cork i used was sold 36" wide by the foot (i can get about 4 out of it if i needed to) and is a bit heavier then 1/8th inch. I cleaned off the head and got it dry, then used a gasket glue ... used it on both sides and have driven it about 30 miles (fully warmed up....75 degrees or so) and it is still dry....
g.b.lawson '53TD

This thread was discussed between 12/08/2004 and 15/08/2004

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.