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MG MGB Technical - Cam followers

I had a tapping noise a while ago and I suspected the cam followers so I replaced 6 of them but could not get the other 2 out. They came up so far then jammed. I tried forcing them out with grips but to no avail so left them in.

Engine seemed quieter but now a tapping has returned so I want to change the 2 followers during the winter. Any ideas for freeing them?

I have adjusted tappets and don't think that's the problem.


Rod
Rod Merrall

This usually indicates they are so badly worn they have mushroomed out a bit at the bottom. If worn like that they'd certainly be your noise source.
When this happens I have driven them out from underneath.
Paul Walbran

Thanks Paul that makes sense. Could you expand on how to knock them out. Does that men the cam shaft has to come out?
Rod Merrall

Usually, but I have got lucky and managed to sneak them out with in OK n place on occasion.
Paul Walbran

As the cam and the tappets are "wear parts", it would not be a proper fix to replace only the followers. They will likely not bed in properly and score the cam lobes even more than they may be already.
Glenn Mallory

I recently had the same problem. Sounds like tappet noise but louder. Cam and followers were in a terrible state. Changed them out and did the timing chain and tensioner at the same time. If the followers are shot the cam probably is too.

AJ
A R Jones

This thread was discussed between 09/09/2023 and 11/10/2023

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