Questioni am in the UK, i have a 1962 midget 1098cc with twin SU's. i want to fit an alloy rocker cover to reduce tappet noise but my steel rocker cover has a breather/vacuum pipe which goes to both carbs, none of the alloy rockers i have seen have the vent.
do i need this breather/vacuum on the rocker?
can i just join the hose between the carbs?
does this breather/vacuum remove oil gasses to be burnt in the engine?
Thanks
Phill
AnswerHi Phil. The breather pipe removes gases from the crankcase allowing them to be sucked into the carbs and burnt in the engine. I would not advise you to connect the two SU pipes to each other, because that would defeat the object.
Do you need a breather? - Yes. Must it be on the rocker cover? - No.
Look for any older A-series engine (997, 998, 1098) such as A35 or Morris Minor. These usually had two tappett covers, and the front tappett cover should have a breather pipe. Charles Ware may be able to help you.
Alternatively, the 1275 Midget had no tappett covers. Instead, it had a modified timing case cover on the front of the engine. This incorporated an oil separator which connected to the carbs via a longer hose. You could fit one of these.
You could drill a hole in the alloy rocker cover and fit a breather pipe. This used to be available as an optional extra.
One final thought, the MG Metro had a lovely alloy rocker cover complete with breather pipe.
