Midget Rocker Cover Height

[jonclancy]

If anyone is interested, or contemplating a build, I can confirm that the standard 1275 Midget rocker cover is 115mm from base to cap-tie button on the top.

I'm trying to source a lower profile cover to stop bonnet fouling - will have some news soon. Potential alloy replacement at reasonable cost.

[Splat]

I don't have a problem with the standard steel cover. However, I run two breathers, one from the timing cover and the other from the rocker cover, via a breather control valve tapped into the inlet manifold. The rocker cover breather pipe (it's an early cover with a breather pipe as standard) just (and only just) touches the bonnet. I must get around to gently "adjusting" it. It's close enough that the steel pipe doesn't impinge, but the rubber hose subsequently pushed over it does!

[erictharg]

I also run one of the early steel covers with a breather. My bonnet just rubs very gently on the top of the stock plastic oil filler cap. I too keep looking for a lower aluminium alternative (it needs to have a breather, or be able to have one added) but it keeps slipping down my list of priorities.
The stock steel cover is also very light, but noisy!

[jonclancy]

I dropped into Somerford Mini today and they were more than happy to allow me to measure the height of one of their alloy rocker covers. It was less than the 115mm of the standard cover. Result!

I only measured the cover itself, not with the low-profile cap. I'll double check before I purchase with all the gubbins attached.

You can see all the associated parts here:

https://www.somerfordmini.co.uk/eshop/i ... 0&sort=20a

Not only will it increase bonnet clearance, but povides a bit of bling too.

[Splat]

Jon,

I have one of those rocker covers sitting in the garage, doing nothing. Drop me a line if you want it.....

[jonclancy]

Done! Thanks!

[Westfield 129]

The fix is an easy one, but you need to have a torch and some brazing rod.

You can remove the filler from the cover (it's brazed in place), shorten it (or push it deeper into the cover) by about 15mm, say 3/8", and braze it back into the hole. This will allow the cap to fit, and clear the bonnet.

I added a breather to the side of the cover (a brass hose barb, brazed in place), then spot welded in a baffle of bent sheet metal inside to keep oil from blowing straight out.

The entire modification took less than half an hour, and stopped the oil cap from wearing a hole through the bonnet.

If you need any pictures, I can send them along, or post them on my own Yahoo westyxiownerbuildersdrivers forum.

[Westfield 129]

One more thing...

The shortened rocker cover will clear roller rockers, which the alloy ones don't unless they are machined.

Also, the shortened rocker cover inlet makes the steel cover shorter than the alloy version. the total height of the modified steel cover is the same as the alloy one, sans the cap, which makes it about 1/2" shorter, giving plenty of clearance for both the bonnet, and roller rockers.

[jonclancy]

Yes please to pics, Jan.

Either by email or in your Yahoo group would be appreciated.

I'll try the alloy cover, regardless as the modded steel cover would need to go off for coating or a paint job.

Thanks.

[Westfield 129]

Pictures are up on my Westyxionwersbuildersdrivers site of the reduced height rocker cover.

This cover is lower than the alloy unit by 3/4". This gives plenty of room for bonnet clearance.