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MG TD TF 1500 - Tappet Cover Oil Caps

I sort of hijacked the thread on "stripped frame of my restoration- some observations" so I thought I should continue the discussion on oil caps here.
As discussed on the other thread TF's had chains on their oil caps attached through a hole in the rocker cover with (most likely) a solid aluminium rivet. Was it a stepped rivet to allow the chain to pivot?

Exactly what type of oil cap? A plain one with no engraving, just plated?

I have one or two caps with all the oil types engraved on them.

I have two where the outside cap is made of aluminium and they are engraved
" CLEAN OIL ESSENTIAL - SEE MANUAL -"
One is in very good condition, the other very poor. Does anybody know what model variant these caps are off?
Max Irvine

Max: I only have a TD but I suspect the rivet is the same. Here is a closeup of mine.

I am not sure if there was a special fitting on the end of the chain to the rivet. Mine just has a link of the chain pinched onto the rivet. In that way it really does not rotate.
Chris Couper

The picture.

Chris Couper

My chain has does not still have its rivet- anyone know where a suitable rivet can be bought?

The oil cap on my TF seems to have its original plating intact- a dull plating on the cap (zinc?) and brighter plating on the nob and chain (nickel?) but I can see no evidence that there was ever any black paint in the lettering. Anyone know if there was always paint in the lettering originally?
Thanks,
JB

J K Barter

I sliped a piece of clear plastic tubing over the chain, keeps the thing from rubbing the paint off.
Tom Maine

JB. Next time you are at your car pop off the oil filler cap and look at the underside. See if its as dull as the top. Often the movement of the chain itself will scuff all the sheen off of the plating making them all look dull. The knob does not suffer that problem so they generally always look shiny.
Chris Couper

On my late TD (TD25009, Feb '53) the cap is attached to a funny bolthead on the left side of the rocker cover (pic below). I make no representation that this is original (brass plate that appears attached with original rivits calls for 0.19" rocker clearance). On the other side (pic follows) is what could be a rivit, I'd call it a stud) that has clearly been ground off. Don't know the significance of any of this.
Jud

J K Chapin

Maybe that's suppose to be 0.019" - probably makes a difference. Anyway, here's the ground off stud on the right side.
Jud

J K Chapin

Rivet source...... Aircraft Spruce. Any aircraft mechanic can supply a selection of rivets. After the rivet is installed and peened remember to seal with solder on the inside so it won't leak.
C.R. Tyrell

Chris,
Same dull finish underneath- definitely is a different metal plating than the nob on top. I wonder if there were different suppliers- this one is marked (enots) on the underside.
James
J K Barter

Jud,
The ground off rivit is where the originakl chain is attched,,, yours is a attached to the threaded piece that would have supported the air cleaner if your cover was put on a "Y" Type,,,

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

like this,,,,

STEVE WINCZE

CR beat me to it! Aircraft suppliers have many types of rivets, I would think there's an aircraft rivet that will match the original closely. PJ
Paul sr

I wonder where they got (or how they made) that weird bolt head. Anyway, while taking the photos I did note that my oil cap ahs the various brands of recommended oil stampted (engraved?) into it. The cap is kind of coppery colored as if it had been plated at one time.

Jud
J K Chapin

The one on my TF came to me like this ..with the oil companies stamped into it. It also had some covering on the chain but that might have been done when the plated the cover?

L E D LaVerne

Here we go.

L E D LaVerne

The TD came to me with what I'm guessing was a replacement cap based on a receit in the paperwork.

No markings what so ever.

L E D LaVerne

My TD's Oil Cap chain was never secured with a rivet but rather with a small flat metal piece that was under one of the bolts on the side of the valve cover. This is unlike Chris Cooper's TD. I covered the chain with a plastic tube to protect the paint on the valve cover. Maybe a DPO copied the "Y" set up as shown by Steve Wincze.

Jim Merz

Ok, Has anyone figured out how to take the cap apart so the gasket can be replaced? Looks like it has a rivit through it but unsure how to drill it out or replace it.

Ended up buying a brass moss cap and it just does not fit the same. Pops off and gets oil all over the place.
Bruce Cunha

Bruce,

If you look under 'Archives'you will see various methods of attack to your cap gasket query.

The Threads were(3):

"Oil Filler cap Gasket"

"Oil Filler Cap"

"Valve Cover Cap"


Hope this helps

Rob Grantham
T3719("Aramis"),TF9177("Athos").
Rob Grantham

Jim Merz,
Is that an emergency can opener attached to the rear bolt of the valve cover??

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Steve, I think that's a support for Jim's heater supply pipe. (But it sure looks like a church key.) Bud
Bud Krueger

Bud,
You are most likely correct,,, I didn't even see the pipe,, untill you mentioned it!!!

SPW
STEVE WINCZE

Steve, Bud is correct. Its a support for the heater supply line. The emergency "church key" is in the glove box.
Jim Merz

This thread was discussed between 27/10/2013 and 29/10/2013

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