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MG TD TF 1500 - Rocker Adjusting Screw

I've run into a snag that I didn't expect. After reinstalling the head and all the peripherils I drove the TD for about 250 miles and then took off the valve cover and retorqued the head nuts. I then reset the valve lash (not knowing whether my engine/head/cam shaft wanted .012", .019" or something else, I split the difference and set them at 0.015"). The snag is that the retaining nut on the #7 rocker will not tighten up. It feels like the threads in the screw have been stripped. the screw will set and hold the gap but the nut will not tighten. I think (hope?) that the threads in the rocker itself are OK so I think all I need is a new adjusting screw and nut. Moss offers two different length screws and I think mine are the longer ones. Seems to me that even if the existing screws are the shorter ones that the longer ones would work but perhaps not vice-versa.

1) Will the longer screws work even if the other screws are the shorter ones?
2) Can I unscrew the adjusting screw and replace it without having to remove the rocker assembly? That is, will the ball head of the adjusting screw come through the threaded hole in the rocker arm?
3) Moss offers the adjusting screws (433-210)individually for $13.95 each but it seems that they offer only a full set (8?) of locking nuts (311-118) for $17.95. Since I only need to replace one adjusting screw and locking nut that seems excessive. Does anyone have an extra adjusting screw and locking nut that they are willing to sell me for a reasonable price?
4) Any better suggestions?

Thanks Jud
J K Chapin


Jud, if the adjusting screw is actually stripped, your going to have a hard time getting it out of the rocker arm with the damaged threads, (ball end will not go through the rocker). Its more likely the jam nut that's stripped since it is thin and normal steel alloy. Recommend you remove the jam nut completely and screw the adjusting screw up to better expose the threads where the damage occurred so you can confirm whether or not it is actually damaged. Contact me through normal email and I have a few spare parts to help.
Richard Cameron

Jud, I agree with Richard, I also have a screw & nut for you.
Roller rocker arms also available, as well as roller lifter camshafts.
laf48@aol.com
Len Fanelli

Len, thanks, your roller cam is on my "some day soon" list. Richard, good suggestion. I'll take a close look tomorrow and be back in touch. Thanks. Jud
J K Chapin

Plenty of spare short rocker screws,nuts and rocker arms for the price of postage if you cant source locally.

Graeme
G Evans

Well, I believe that I have pretty solid evidence that Richard nailed it (see pic attached). When I removed the adjusting screw locking nut along with it came what looks like a heli-coil. I don't thing even the D'estPO would try to use a heli-coil to repair a stripped nut but who knows. Anyway, the threads on the inside of the nut are pretty much gone and the threads on the adjusting screw look pretty good.

Richard, I'd be very pleased to take you up on your offer of a replacement adjusting screw locking nut. Email follows.

While doing all of this I made a discovery (I doubt I'm the first to make this discovery). With the plugs removed I can turn the engine with the fan blades. I no longer need a helper turning the crank while I watch the rocker to see when valve 8 and then valve 4 etc. is fully open. This discovery has made setting and checking the valve lash one heckuvalot easier.

Graeme and Len, thanks for the offers.

Jud

J K Chapin

Good news. Here's my email
Richard Cameron

Richard. Did you get my email with my mailing address? 112 Lister Rd. 29356. Jud
J K Chapin

This thread was discussed between 04/11/2014 and 05/11/2014

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