The upper engine on the Rover 3528cc V8 follows the classic American small-block V8 architecture: a single central camshaft in the block operates the valves through pushrods and rocker arms, with the rocker shaft assemblies bolted to the top of each cylinder head. Each bank carries one rocker cover, with the cast-iron exhaust manifolds and inlet manifold completing the upper engine assembly. Hydraulic tappets eliminate the need for routine valve-clearance adjustment but require classic-formulation engine oil with adequate ZDDP content to maintain cam-and-tappet protection.
Rocker Covers
The MGB GT V8 has cast-aluminium rocker covers with cast-in MG logos, a V8-specific feature that distinguishes the MG version from the Rover-style covers found on most other applications of the engine. Right-hand and left-hand rocker covers are handed and not interchangeable.
Original-style cover gaskets are available, alongside the long and short securing screws (the long screws fasten the cover into the head; the short stainless steel screws clamp it down at the corners). For concours restorations, original Lucas-pattern decals and ancillary trim items are supplied separately within the relevant sub-sections.
Rocker Shaft, Pushrods and Tappets
Each cylinder head carries a rocker shaft assembly with rocker arms running on a steel shaft supported by aluminium pedestals. The rocker arms are handed within the assembly. Pushrods transmit cam motion to the rocker arms, the V8 uses a single pushrod per valve in the conventional pattern. Hydraulic tappets self-adjust to maintain zero clearance, drawing pressurised oil from the engine's main galleries.
Worn or noisy tappets typically result either from oil-gallery contamination or from the use of low-ZDDP modern oils that fail to protect the flat-tappet cam-and-follower interface.
Inlet Manifold and Cylinder Head Gaskets
The V8's inlet manifold is a two-piece arrangement: a Rover penthouse-style base sits in the V between the heads, with a V-shaped MG-specific adaptor on top to mount the twin SU HIF6 carburettors at the rear of the engine. This rearward carburettor mounting is a key feature of the MGB GT V8 installation and allows the engine to clear the standard MGB bonnet line without modification. Cylinder head gaskets are V8-specific items, with full top-end gasket sets available for engine rebuilds.
MGOC Spares
MGOC Spares carries cast-aluminium rocker covers with handed left and right items, rocker shaft assemblies, pushrods, hydraulic tappets, inlet manifold gaskets, cylinder head gasket sets and all associated fixings for the MGB GT V8, see individual sub-sections for details.