New or reconditioned camshaft covers

[Paul Kelley]

As some of you will know from previous posts, I am in the process of my engine rebuild and it's coming on well. Ideally I want to enhance the external look as well and am having trouble tracking down new/reconditioned/re-chromed camshaft (or rocker) covers. I've checked all the Stag parts suppliers I know and have trawled ebay but to no avail. They seem to be in the 'hen's teeth' category. Anyone know of where to get a decent pair? Mine is a Mk 2 with a two-pronged oil filler cap. (I know there's been a thread on here about the two versus three prong change over, the Triumph name stamped the wrong way up etc). One solution could be to get mine re-chromed at some point and it may come to that. As ever, suggestions appreciated.
Paul

[JeffW]

Contact Trevor at Faversham Classics. I think they sell reconditioned ones, with new oil traps, on an exchange basis.

Jeff

[wilf]

I think it is down to you reconditioning a pair, tbh, unless someone has any for sale privately.

And if you do, and happen to shot/bead blast them first, beware of media getting trapped in the oil separator mesh.

[Paul Kelley]

Thanks Jeff and Wilf. Just rang Trevor/Faversham but no reply so guess he's shut today, Good Friday. And if I end up reconditioning mine I'll watch out for the separator mesh as you say.

[DJT]

Paul,
Last time I did mine, I removed the old paint mechanically using wire brushes, etc. Gave the RH one a good soaking in petrol to flush out any oil, etc, from the flame trap. Then etch primed and sprayed. Silver wheel paint gives a good finish. Maybe not as durable as chrome (which I don’t like in the engine bay TBH) or powder coat, but it is a lot cheaper and at least you know there is no blasting media in the gauze.

[barkerwilliams]

Before you refit or paint camshaft covers it is worth measuring the width of both ends of the open side and comparing to the width of the centre of the cover. It is not unusual to have the centre of the cover bowed out nearly half an inch wider as the cover has splayed over the years. Using a woodworking clamp on the centre of the cover evens the cover width up and ensures the gasket is then held centrally and fully over the cylinder head machined face and not sliding off outwards and leaking oil.

The four fixing bolts do not hold the cam cover aligned to the head as the holes in the cover are too large a diameter.

Alan

[Lingen]

Alan.
The eight shouldered "Nuts" that hold my cam covers on are a neat fit in the cam cover holes, and the four bolts at the front complete the alignment. Are yours perhaps replacements with a narrower diameter? The covers do bow out easily as you say., and squeezing them back in to shape makes them seal much better.
Mike.

[barkerwilliams]

Mike,

The metric response!

No my fixings are the correct size. When looking at an engine cam cover I typically see that the sides of the cover near the ends the retaining lip of the cover protrudes the head by a mm or so, but the centre of the cover the lip is perhaps 4 to five mm out from the head allowing the gasket to slide outwards with a consequently much reduced mating surface. The time for a quick check and possible fettle of the covers is before they are painted.

I have always assumed that over tightening the four fixing nuts on the cam cover forces the cover and the gasket to splay out, the width of ends is controlled by the actual ends acting as a cross brace, but like many of us the centre is allowed to expand out to the detriment of a good seal.

Alan

[wilf]

These covers can also adopt a "banana" shape, in the other plane. Which results in gaps between them/their gaskets/the heads - usually at the "back" end. One of mine was so bad the resultant air leak mucked up the tickover, never mind the huge oil leak!

[Paul Kelley]

Thanks guys for the added points. I've had a good look at mine and no obvious bowing/bananaring going on. They are already chromed but have become pitted and rusted in places, so don't think the mechanical strip and repaint is an option. For the time being I can live with them and the main focus is on getting the engine back up and running. So I'll keep a look-out over the coming months but will probably go for a re-chrome in the winter. Thanks again one and all.
Paul