Fuel sediment bowl on fuel pump, all models-Every 20,000 miles (32.000 km)

The fuel pump sediment bowl provides an additional filter between pump and carburetter.
Clean as follows:
1. Remove the bowl by slackening the thumb screw and swinging the retainer aside.
2. Remove and clean filter gauze in petrol.
3. Ensure that the sealing washer is in good condition.
4. Replace gauze and refit bowl.
5. Prime the pump with the hand lever.

Sparking plugs, all models-Check every 5,000 miles (8.000 km); replace every 10,000 miles (16.000 km)
When the TC model is consistently driven hard, particularly on the motorways, it is essential to fit new sparking plugs of the recommended make and type every 5,000 miles (8.000 km).
The sparking plugs are fitted with plastic covers retained in the cylinder heads 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.
Check or replace the sparking plugs as applicable; if the plugs are in good condition they should be cleaned as follows:
1. Fit the plug into the correct sized adaptor of an approved sparking plug cleaning machine.
2. Wobble the plug in the adaptor with a circular motion for 3-4 seconds only with the abrasive blast in operation.
Caution: Excessive abrasive blasting will lead to severe erosion of the insulator nose. Continue to wobble the plug in its adaptor with air only, blasting the plug for a minimum of 30 seconds; this will remove abrasive grit from the plug cavity.
3. Wire-brush the plug threads, open the gap slightly and vigorously file electrode sparking surfaces with a point file.
This operation is important to ensure correct plug operation by squaring the electrode sparking surfaces.
4. Set the electrode gap to the recommended clearance of .025 in. (0,60 mm).
5. Test the plugs in accordance with the plug-cleaning machine manufacturers' recommendations.
6. If satisfactory the plugs may be used again.

Plug cleaning should be carried out by a Rover Distributor or Dealer.

SC and automatic models, 9.0:1 compression ratio: Use only Champion N.9Y sparking plugs for all replacements.
SC models, 7.5:1 compression ratio: Use only Champion N.5 sparking plugs for all replacements.
TC models for both 9.0:1 and 10.0:1 compression ratios: Use only Champion N.6Y sparking plugs.
Incorrect grades of plug may lead to piston overheating and engine failure.

Before refitting sparking plugs, carry out next operation.

Distributor contact points
A-Securing screw for adjustable contact
B-Adjuster slot
C-Adjuster screw ignition timing

Distributor maintenance, all models-Every 10,000 miles (16000km)

Lubricate as follows:
1. Remove the distributor cap and rotor arm.
2. Lightly smear the cam with clean engine oil.
3. Add a few drops of thin machine oil through the hole in the contact breaker base plate, to lubricate the automatic timing control. See illustration.
4. Add a few drops of thin machine oil to lubricate the cam bearing and distributor shaft. See illustration.
5. 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 and wipe with a petrol-moistened cloth. Add a smear of grease to contact pivot and replace the moving contact. Then adjust as detailed above.
6. Wipe the inside and outside of the cap with a soft dry cloth; ensure that the small carbon brush works freely In its holder.
7. Replace rotor arm and distributor cap.

A careful examination should be carried out of all high-tension leads, including the coil to distributor lead.
Look for any signs of insulation cracking or deterioration and corrosion at the end contacts. Replace faulty leads.

Ignition timing, all models

In addition to automatic timing advance and retard mechanism, the distributor incorporates a hand setting control, known as the octane selector. This is a vernier adjustment attached to the distributor, fitted with a sliding portion controlled by an adjusting screw. The body of the distributor is marked R (Retard) and A (Advance) to indicate direction of turn.
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.

With the ignition correctly set for optimum performance, fuel requirements are as follows:
Rover 2000 TC models 10.0:1 compression ratio minimum Research Octane No. 100. United Kingdom use 5 Star grade.
Rover 2000 TC models 9.0:1 compression ratio minimum Research Octane No. 96. United Kingdom use 4 Star grade.
Rover 2000 SC models 9.0:1 compression ratio minimum Research Octane No. 95. United Kingdom use 4 Star grade.
When touring it may be found that in some countries fuels of the above rating are unobtainable.

When this is the case the setting of the octane selector on the distributor must be altered as follows:
Turn the adjusting screw clockwise 1.25 turns until the scale on the vernier adjustment has moved through one division on SC models and approximately 2 turns and 1.5 divisions on TC models. This will retard the ignition so that the timing is set at TDC. The fuel requirements can then be reduced to:
Rover 2000 TC 10.0:1 compression ratio minimum Research Octane No. 98.
Rover 2000 TC 9.0:1 compression ratio minimum Research Octane No. 94.
Rover 2000 SC 9.0:1 compression ratio minimum Research Octane No. 94.

The amount by which the setting will have to be altered may vary slightly as it depends on the fuel available, but it should be set back to a point where the engine is just free from 'pinking' when accelerating in top gear.
The loss of performance in the low and medium speed ranges with the ignition retarded in this way is not great but it is necessary to restrict the maximum speeds. Under no circumstances must 90 m.p.h. (145 kph) be exceeded in top gear, with proportionate reductions of speed in the intermediate gears.

It is of course important that the octane selector on the distributor be returned to the original setting as soon as fuels of the recommended octane rating are again available.

Dynamo lubrication, all models-Every 5,000 miles (8.000 km) The dynamo must be lubricated at the commutator end bearing by inserting the nozzle of a pump type oilcan in the small central hole and injecting just sufficient engine oil to moisten the lubricating pad. This should be done from underneath the car.

Water level, windscreen washer, all models-Every 5,000 miles (8.000 km)

Top up reservoir to within 0.5 in. (12 mm) from bottom of filler neck using Clearalex windscreen washer powder in the bottle, this removes mud, flies and road film completely.
In cold weather, to prevent freezing of the water, the reservoir should have 0.125 pint of methylated spirits added to one reservoir of water. It is important that the proportion of methylated spirits to water is not increased, otherwise damage to the mechanism may result.