Ok, Im back on the road...but not for long...im back in the garage now..just a small problem.

The tappet cover seals I got appeared to be too small....they kept wanting to be pushed 'into' the block rather than sit flush on the ridge for the tappet covers.

Now the back of my block is covered in oil...no big hassle....I expected teething problems...and this is such a minor problem Im stoked there arent any others.

What Id like to know......

Can tappet cover cork gaskets shrink ?
Are you supposed to do anything to them before you put them on ?
Are there any better replacements for the cork gaskets ?

Any help will be appreciated!!

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No more Minis!......For now.

Yes they WILL shrink if old, or if stored without the inner cork bit that keeps their shape..
Later cork ones were rubberised and were better.
Later covers (Cooper S, 998 Clubby etc) are a different shape (are hollow not convex) and are designed to use a rubber seal, not the cork ones.
The shape of these holds the seal in place much better.
.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Awesome, thanks for that Dr.

I'll try and get some rubber ones ASAP...cause these cork ones just didnt fit right.

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No more Minis!......For now.