345 MG Tech | How to Quickly Adjust the Valves on Any MG

In this video, John Twist revisits and remakes an older video on quickly adjusting the valves on any MG engine. John walks through a brief explanation on how the valves works, shows the process on the camshaft out of the car, then gets demonstrates it on an MGA engine. Thanks for watching and Safety Fast!
Watch the original video here from 2007: • 010 MG Tech | MG Valve...
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[@mtoddohno]

I really appreciate you “revisiting” topics like this using the better quality video. Thanks John!

[@pcbif]

Thanks a million John. I learn a ton in every video. Nothing can beat your years of experience and wisdom.

[@the_realJP_]

Thank you for taking the time to revisit some of your earlier videos. The sound and video quality are a huge improvement and I appreciate the more in depth explanation!

[@redbarchetta8782]

4:50 Something I noticed when I had my cam go south. I too had nicks on my cam, which was interesting being I used new ARP studs, and had all the big ends resized. What happened was two of my ARP studs, both on the cam side, turned while torquing, something I did not notice. By turned I mean the oblong top of the stud turned out so it was sticking proud of the piston enough to hit the cam on rotation. Both pistons 1 and 2 had this issue. I put a new cam in and took the surface of the studs down on the cam side using a Dremel to get clearance. Remember, there's not much clearance to the cam and some of the newer cams use rather large blanks, which too doesn't help. Measure and make sure of the clearance when using ARP studs.

[@joelchiang5189]

Great video John. This helped explain how to adjust the valves on my 1966 Lotus Super 7. I couldn't figure out the two open valve thing, but this explains it, and I could have done it in half the time, instead of doing one valve, then rotating engine. Also, learned the bump starter trick instead of manually turning engine at fan pulley. I should go back and grease the gasket though, as mentioned at the end. I think I saw you awhile back at a Kingston, Ontario MG rally in the early '80's.

[@audiophil4946]

This was a great refresher before doing this on my B GT. Thanks again John T!

[@mattzimmerman5967]

The most important part of knowing how, is knowing why... I really like the revamp of the old video.

[@kellycollins5442]

Excellent instructional video!!!

[@MGB-learning]

Outstanding video and presentation.

[@angry3man]

Excellent presentation.

[@bobwhalen5017]

Thanks a lot John, I didn't get it the first time but I did what you said and now I do.

[@sandraturner2621]

Super helpful John Thanks Bill

[@richardjuday20]

I have managed to keep track of the hand crank for my MGA, and this makes it super easy to rotate the crankshaft exactly 180 degrees to go to the next pair of valves to adjust. No need to do the bump with the starter motor. If you put a B engine into your A whose bodywork permits use of the crank, be sure to bring along the A's bolt that matches the hand crank.

[@Gordini62]

Thank you very much, I am learning a lot.

[@alanvinegar5729]

Nice short video. Glad to see you getting your hands greasy. Looking forward to you next video. Cheers

[@milkythemidget9564]

Thank you John

[@paulbrown1870]

Good on ya mate, learnt so much from your videos. 👍

[@mullerandre95]

What a mine of knowledge you are, used your videos on a rebuild of a 1967 MGB. Just got her back for a retune and check up, she starts a bit hard when cold but the carbs are worn-out. Due to the exchange rate parts are prohibitively expensive for us in South Africa. Unfortunately we have lost the art of repairing SU carbs, got to send them to the UK or US to have done properly.

[@jbstepchild]

Absolutely amazing I heard in a video you get down to London Ontario it's 2021 July anytime in the near future

[@jerryp2433]

This man does not age.

[@TomfromExeter]

Excellent! What John doesn't show is how he's actually energising the starter. At the starter relay, touch the white-red wire to the brown. [Edited to add: but I think some later cars had a button on the relay.]

[@bobchallquist4577]

Thank you very much for taking the time to put the videos together. How did you bump the starter.

[@garysmith2450]

I always used grease on the cork rocker cover gasket on both sides and never used any sealer. Never had a problem😊

[@3053carlton]

I swear your getting younger John

[@VeteranDetail]

John, I have a 1977 MGB. Sometimes I when driving the ignition light on the dash flickers on and off. What causes this? It is not doing it when it ticks over at Idle, only when driving along.

[@ianrussell9179]

Brilliant video I’m going to check mine tomorrow I’ve tuned the carbs bue to 95 octane being no longer available I now have to use 99super as the new e10 gas rots rubber and also breaks down solder he carbs are set about right leaning to the lean side she runs perfect for 30 miles then starts to miss and stutter plugs are black with carbon ?could this be poor ignition I’m going to replace dizzi cap and leads just in case so would appreciate a tutorial on fitting points as I have never done this before again thank you for the videos as due to them I have been able to work on my 1962 mga lot more

[@TastyCycle]

HOW DID YOU START THE CAR FROM UNDER THE HOOD? thanks!

[@michaelmenard8913]

Thanks, where are you clipping the starter button to?

[@mattbilton6]

do you recommend the cork gasket above the silicon gasket?

[@kelstra1997]

Your arithmetic could do with a brush-up The valve numbers add up to 9 not 8 as you suggest. Apologies, you corrected that later in the video.

[@madden4306]

so you are not recommending any kind of gasket sealer on the gasket to head side, just grease?

[@unigateman]

Hi john, I can't seem to quieten down the valves on a MGB I'm setting to 0,015 0,38 metric, should I set with a smaller gap cheers

[@paulhotson5820]

My classic mini I set at 12 thou nice and quiet 🤫

[@robinredbreast8292]

Grease to the bottom of the new gaskit ! bad idea, it will slip. I have never done that and never had any issues or leaks

[@afhostie]

Why is it required to re torque the head?

[@paulhotson5820]

If the head is not torqued It will affect the gap clearance, which will result in gap to loose and sound noisy.

[@paulhotson5820]

Many race cars run 8 thou to gain as many horses as possible!

[@bkvike]

Did I laugh with the first hit of the hammer.

[@garyowen9044]

Ritalin. I’d need a Ritalin drip. 😅 Ok, maybe not. I think I could do that.

[@bladerunner6282]

most confusing "rule of nine" explanation i've ever heard. almost unbelievably so. here's a concise and accurate explanation: counting from the front of the engine if number eight valve is fully open, subtract eight from nine and the answer is one, so adjust the clearance on valve number one. If number six is closed, then adjust number three and so on..