On the following pages, in the same general order as listed in the Maintenance Schedule Book, will be found full instructions on how to carry out the maintenance and adjustments periodically required.

Engine oil consumption
The Rover Company feels that there are many owners who may not be fully aware of certain changes which have come about in engine design and manufacturing technique, and the characteristics of modern engine lubricants.

The Rover Company, in common with other manufacturers, expects from a new engine a definite consumption of engine oil.

It is usually a characteristic that in the early life of an engine the consumption of oil will be higher than subsequently and it is quite normal for consumption figures to improve up to and even beyond 6,000 miles (9.600 km).

The reason for the heavier consumption when new is that as the piston rings bed-in so is the consumption reduced. This consumption of oil in the early stages of the engine's life is a desirable characteristic, aiding as it does the effective running-in of pistons, rings and cylinder bores, resulting in subsequent longevity.

It should also be realised that with the trend towards modern thinner lubricants, which is in itself a highly desirable feature, there may be some tendency for the consumption also to be slightly increased.

Owners when checking oil consumption should make quite sure that the check is made with the engine cold and the car standing on level ground, otherwise a false reading may result.
Over-filling an engine with lubricating oil has no advantages and can quite easily result in a loss of lubricant, giving a completely misleading impression.

It is also unnecessary to top-up oil in the sump for every half-pint (0,25 litre) that may be consumed, but topping-up should not be delayed after the oil level has, or is likely to reach in the course of current running, the low mark on the dipstick.

Engine oil level

Every 750 miles (1.000km) check the oil level. Proceed as follows:

Engine dipstick and filter

Stand the car on level ground and allow a few minutes for the oil to drain back into the sump from the valve gear, etc. Withdraw the dipstick upwards, wipe it clean, re-insert to its full depth and remove a second time to take the reading. Add oil as necessary; never fill above the H mark, as the engine may then require more frequent decarbonisation.

Oil additives
The oils selected are complete in themselves and afford every protection. A warning is necessary against the addition of any oils or other products, as in certain circumstances these might materially impair the character of the lubricant in use.

Engine oil changes
When the vehicle leaves the factory, engine oil of a grade suitable for a temperate climate is in use.
The first engine oil change should be made at 1,500 miles (2.400 kin); thereafter the oil must be changed every 3,000 miles (5.000 kin).
To change the engine oil, proceed as follows:
Run the engine to warm up the oil, and switch off the ignition. Remove the drain plug in the right-hand side of the sunip. Allow time for the oil to drain away completely and replace the plug.
Engine sump drain plug

Refill with oil of the correct grade through the filler at the left-hand front of the engine; the capacity is 10 Imperial pints (5,5 litres).

Engine oil filters
In addition to the gauze pump intake filter in the sump, the oil is cleaned by means of a full-flow pressure filter mounted externally on the right-hand side of the engine.
Engine oil filter

The element of the full-flow filter must be renewed every 6,000 miles (10.000 km). This should be done at a routine oil change.

To remove the full-flow filter element: Place oil tray under filter. The filter element must be serviced from the top. Proceed as follows: Unscrew the bolt in the top of the filter adaptor and remove the container complete with the filter element. All models: Remove and discard the used filter element and large rubber washer, Wash the container in petrol. Place the new filter element in the container and reassemble the unit, using the new large rubber washer supplied with the element, Ensure that all the sealing washers are in position and intact, and that the container is correctly located in the top cover.

Refill with correct grade of engine oil and run engine for five minutes, then check for leaks, Check oil level and replenish if necessary.
Engine breather filter (B) and oil filler (A)

Engine breather filter
The oil-wetted gauze filter fitted to the engine top rocker cover breather outlet should be cleaned every 6,000 miles (10.000 kin) in the following manner:

Remove the filter and wash the gauze by swilling the unit in a dish of petrol; re-wet the gauze by dipping in clean engine oil and shake off the surplus. The filter should be replaced with the slot facing the rear of the engine.

Air cleaner
Attention to the air cleaner is extremely important, especially under dusty conditions, as performance will be seriously affected if the car is run with an excessive amount of dust in the air cleaner element.
Under clean road conditions the element should be changed every 18,000 miles (30.000 kin). In cases where the car is operated under dusty conditions, attention must be more frequent.
Proceed as follows:
1. Remove bolts securing the air cleaner and lift out the complete unit.
2. Uncip end cover and withdraw element complete with frame.
3. Release wing nut on frame and remove end cap and sealing washer.
4. Discard old element and replace with new unit.
5. Ensure that the sealing washers are in position and intact, and reassemble the unit. Refit to
engine.
Air cleaner

Sparking plugs

The sparking plugs are fitted with plastic covers retained in the cylinder head by rubber rings. To gain access to the plugs for cleaning and gap-setting, pull up the plug covers without detaching them. from the high tension leads.
Every 6,000 miles (10.000 kin) check or replace the sparking plugs; if the plugs are still in good condition clean and re-set the electrode gaps to .029 to .032 in. (0,75 to 0,80 mm).
Sparking plug and cover

Tappet adjustment

Every 6,000 miles (10.000 kin) check tappet clearance and adjust if necessary.

It is most important that tappet clearances be maintained at the correct setting. If anything less than the correct clearance is used, a fall in power output will follow, with possible damage to valves and seats, while greater clearance will mean noisy tappets.

The correct clearance is inlet .006 in, (0,15 mm) and exhaust .010 in. (0,25 mm) with the engine at running temperature. The cylinder firing order is 1, 5, 3, 6, 2, 4.

To carry out tappet adjustment, proceed as follows:
1. Rotate the engine in the running direction until the valve receiving attention is fully open and then move the engine one complete turn, to bring the tappet on to the back of the cam.
2. Check the tappet clearance with a feeler gauge. If adjustment is required, slacken the locknut and rotate the tappet adjusting screw until the clearance is correct; re-tighten the locknut, taking care to ensure that this operation does not upset the clearance.
3. Repeat for the other valves in turn.
Tappet adjustment

Carburetter
The horizontal dust-proof carburetter is carefully adjusted on assembly and, apart from a few items of routine maintenance indicated below, normally requires no further attention.

Carburetter maintenance
Every 12,000 miles (18.000 kin) unscrew the brass cap on top of the suction chamber, withdraw cap and hydraulic damper, pin replenish the damper reservoir as necessary with SAE 20 oil and replace.
Carburetter hydraulic damper

Occasionally disconnect the fuel pipe from the carburetter and withdraw the thimble filter. Clean filter in petrol, using a stiff brush. Replace and reconnect fuel pipe.

Carburetter slow-running adjustment
The only adjustments provided at the carburetter are a jet adjustment screw and a slow-run valve.
Check the carburetter slow-running every 3,000 miles (5.000 kin).
Should the carburetter require tuning for any reason proceed as follows:

1. Run the engine until normal operating temperature is obtained. If necessary adjust slow run valve to give the correct idling speed.
2. Lift the carburetter piston approximately ~ in. (1 mm) by means of the lift pin situated on the right of the carburetter body. There is approximately in. (4,5 mm) free movement of the lift pin before it contacts the piston.
Carburetter slow-running adjustment. A: Slow-run valve, B: Fast idle adjustment screw, C: Jet adjustment screw.

If the engine speeds up immediately the mixture is too rich and the jet adjustment screw must be turned anti-clockwise, thus weakening the mixture; if the engine stops immediately the mixture is too weak and the jet adjustment screw should be turned clockwise to enrich the mixture.
Carburetter lift pin, A: Lift pin

If the engine just falters and continues to run unevenly the adjustment is correct.
Finally adjust the slow-run valve to get a smooth idling speed. The fast idle screw should not require adjustment.

Distributor maintenance
Every 6,000 miles (10.000 kin), remove the distributor cap and lubricate as follows:
1. Lightly smear the cam with clean engine oil.
2. Lift off the rotor and add a few drops of thin machine oil to lubricate the cam bearing and distributor shaft; push the rotor on as far as possible.
3. Place a drop of clean engine oil on the contact breaker lever pivot, taking care not to oil the contacts.
4. Add a few drops of thin machine oil through the hole in the contact breaker base plate, to lubricate the automatic timing control.
Distributor

Occasionally clean the distributor as follows:
1. Wipe the inside and outside of the cap with a soft, dry cloth; ensure that the small carbon brush works freely in its holder.
2. Slacken the nut on the terminal block and lift off the spring and moving contact. Ensure that the contacts are free from grease or oil; if they are burned or blackened, clean with a fine carborundum stone or very fine emery cloth and wipe with a petrol-moistened cloth. Replace the moving contact.
3. Every 6,000 miles (10.000 kin) check and adjust the contact breaker clearance as follows
(i) Remove the distributor cap and turn over the engine by hand until the contacts are fully open. (ii) The clearance should be .014 to .016 in, (0,35 to 0,40 mm). The feeler gauge should be a sliding fit between the contacts.
(iii) If necessary, slacken the two screws which secure the adjustable contact and adjust by means of the adjuster screw until the clearance is correct; re-tighten the two retaining screws.
(iv) Replace the distributor cap.

Ignition timing
In addition to automatic timing advance and retard tnechanism, the distributor incorporates a hand setting control7 known as the octane selector. This is a vernier adjustment attached to the distributor, fitted with a sliding portion controlled by an adjusting screw and a calibrated scale marked R (retard) and A (advance) with number of divisions between. The standard setting for the ignition is with the long line of the scale on the sliding portion against the mark on the selector body, thus leaving one division further possible advance and four divisions retard.
Ignition timing

This setting is correct for premium fuel and with a clean engine, but should pinking develop as a result of the need for decarbonising, the control can be retarded a little by turning the screw in a clockwise direction, Do not forget to return it to the original position after decarbonising.
In certain countries very low grade fuel is supplied, in which case it may be necessary to adjust the octane selector to avoid pinking, even with a clean engine.

Should the distributor have been disturbed, the ignition timing must be reset as follows:
1. Set the contact breaker point gap .014 to .016 in. (0,35 to 0,40 mm) with the points fully open.
2. Rotate the engine in the running direction until the 30 mark on the flywheel is in line with the pointer, with both valves on No. 1 cylinder closed.
3, The distributor rotor will now correspond with No. 1 cylinder high tension lead terminal.
4. Set the octane selector so that the fourth line from the left-hand side of the calibrated slide is against the face of the distributor body casting.
5. Slacken the pinch bolt at the base of the distributor head; rotate the distributor bodily in the opposite direction to the arrow on the rotor arm until the contact breaker points are just opening with the fibre cam follower on the leading side of the cam; re-tighten the pinch bolt.

Fan belt adjustment, manual steering
Remove the air cleaner. Slacken the pivot bolts securing the dynamo to the mounting bracket, slacken the adjusting bolt.

Pivot the dynamo inwards or outwards as necessary and adjust until the correct belt tension has been obtained, which is (8 to 11 mm) movement, by thumb pressure between the dynamo and crankshaft pulleys, at point marked 'C'.

Tighten adjusting and pivot bolts and refit air cleaner.
Fan belt adjustment, manual steering, A: Adjusting bolt, B: Pivot bolt, C: Check at this point, 5/16th to 7/16th (8 to 11mm) movement.

Fan belt adjustment, power steering
Drain off water and remove radiator block. Slacken the two adjusting bolts securing the jockey pulley to the front cover.

Pivot the pulley inwards or outwards as necessary and adjust until the correct tension is obtained, which is (8 to 11 mm) movement by thumb pressure between jockey and cran haft pulleys at point marked 'C'.

Tighten jockey pulley adjusting bolts. Replace radiator and refill with water.
Fan belt adjustment, power steering. A: Adjusting bolts, B: Pivot, C: Check at this point, 5/16th to 7/16th in. (8 to 11mm) movement.

Dynamo belt adjustment, power steering,
Drain off water and remove radiator block, remove air cleaner. Slacken the pivot bolts securing the dynamo to the mounting bracket, slacken the adjusting bolt.
Pivot the dynamo inwards or outwards as necessary and adjust until the correct belt tension has been obtained, which , (8 mm) movement by thumb pressure between dynamo and crankshaft pulleys at point marked 'C'.

Tighten adjusting and pivot bolts, Refit radiator block and air cleaner, Refill with water.
Dynamo belt adjustment, power steering. A: Adjustment bolt, B: Pivot bolt, C: Check at this point, 5/16th in. (8mm) movement.

Dynamo
Every 12,000 miles (20.000 kin) the dynamo must be lubricated t the commtitator end bearing by inserting the nozzle of a pump type oil can in the small central hole and injecting just sufficient engine oil to moisten the lubricating pad.

Dynamo lubrication