I have just replaced the head gasket and after torquing up the bolts, I noticed that one of the pushrods is not seating in the cup. The pushrod is sitting lower than it should be so when the engine turns over, it does even push up the rocker arm.

Before I pull the rocker assembly (or more?) off again, what can be the cause of this and how do I fix it?

_________________
-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.

As a guess I'd say the cam follower lifted off the cam with the pushrod andfell over sideways , now the pushrod is sitting directly on the cam . Unbolt the plate that covers the cam followers at the back of the block and you'll be able to stand it up properly again and put the pushrod back in it . You'll have to take the rocker gear off to have enough room to lift the pushrod high enough to get it back into the cam follower though .

_________________

usually happens when taking the rods out too quickly (sounds silly i know...) but the oil is pretty thick stuff and sort of creates a slick around the rod etc etc... if you have an extra long flat head screwie or a thin long magnet thingo you can get it up with the engine in situ... it can be a bi-atch to get to though... (ask Chong )

good luck!

_________________
Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

And if its what sports850 said and you dont have sidecovers on your engine then your in for fun times

Just to avoid panic , what Matt means is in an 1100S motor without the two plates at the back of the motor there is no easy way to get access to them . In small bore motors and cooper s type 1275's there are access plates fo this purpose .

_________________

That actually can`t happen in a "Non-Side plate" type block,,, there is no big area for them to fall "up" into like the side plate blocks have

so, it can`t happen

But you`re most probably right if it`s a side plate block,,, very common to happen to the "un-initiated"

_________________
No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.

I didn't think it was possible to do in an 1100S type block but wasn't going to open myself up to argument

_________________

What he said
if you tilt the push rod over to one side & give them a wiggle it breaks the seal and they pull out without pulling the lifter up with them.

_________________
Have a Nice Day.
If already having a nice day please disregard.

850man - I will keep that in mind next I may have to do it.

But for now, 10 minutes work and everything is back together and pushrods are where they are supposed to be (and yes the cam follower had come out of it's hole)

Thanks!
-Alan

_________________
-Alan
I blame my dad for my love of minis. I think I was conceived in the back seat of one
I also blame my Dad for me being 6' 1" - not really the optimum height for driving a Mini.

When i was about 12-13 years old i built up a race engine for myself,,, had it all done really well,,, short motor, check,,,, gearbox complete, check,,,, bolt gearbox to block bolted up,check,,,,, oil pump in, check... primary case on, check,,, clutch & flywheel pack in & tight,check,,, ok, now set up the cyl head, check,,, lay it ontop with new head gasket underneath,check,,, start dropping push rods in,,,ooops

guess what???

yeah well,,, i have never done that again hey??? yes it was a "Non-sideplate" motor

_________________
No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.