Thanks again for hosting the MG replica guys (all VW's at heart!). Ed and Richard (the two newcomers to the group) were very impressed with the SOC people & cars.
I talked with a few of you about the engine trouble I ran into. Now that I've gotten part way into the motor, I've posted this on thesamba and the only responder (so far) agrees it sounds like a bent valve. Not sure how that happened. But here's what I've seen so far.
Any input is much appreciated.
Friday morning, I was about fifty miles into my Carlisle journey. A slight ticking sound started in my engine (1641cc), most notably when under a slight to heavy load. Power did not seem to be diminished and the car was still moving along fine.
After a few more miles, there was a sudden burst noise, like a hydraulic cylinder losing all its pressure in one shot. No explosion or bang. Immediate loss of power. I pulled onto the shoulder and opened the engine cover. Lot's of smoke, no fire.
Headed home courtesy of AAA and returned for the weekend in one of my Volvos.
Upon returning home Sunday evening, I started in on the car.
Removed left side valve cover. Rear most push-rod (I think cylinder 4 exhaust?) was out of the rocker arm cup.
Removed rocker arms. All cups look fine.
Removed push-rods from intake and exhaust. Ends look fine. No scuff marks, no mushrooming. Push-rods are straight.
Rear most valve spring is slightly compressed (about a quarter inch). It does not look like it's broken. Valve stem end and adjustment screw are normal and not mushroomed.
With everything back on the head, the valve adjuster screw goes in so far no threads are visible on the adjuster screw.
Without pulling the head, I'm guessing the valve bent and stuck in the valve guide. So stuck that the valve spring is unable to fully expand.
Nothing else makes sense, unless of course I am missing something with regard to the valve spring.
I needed to get the car over the curbs lining my driveway and into it's resting place in my shed. So I removed the push-rod on the offending valve and put everything else back on.
Engine will run, with some encouragement from the throttle. So I'm also guessing the remaining three cylinders are fine.
Thoughts on diagnosis so far?
Would a 1641 have stock intake and exhaust valves & guides?
Frustrating. The Duchess has never let me down (ten years with a stock 1600, 17 years with the 1641).
Thanks!
Paul
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