Valve gaps

Evening

Iam actually quite embarrassed to be asking for advice on setting my valve clearances

Finally got my engine back together and have set valves to 6 thou with each cylinder at its respective TDC position checked Rota arm when doing it ect ect

Van is running a little rough ish at idle and I can hear valve clatter

You know that clack clack clack you get with a loose rocker

Taken covers over and clearance at TDC on all valves is spot on but if I look at another cylinder that is not at TDC for example number 3 ex when valve is fully open its corresponding valve that is closed on the other side in this case 1 ex has more than 6 thou clearance ?????

More like 8 thou

How is this possible as I thought once the push rod is on the bottom of the cam its on the bottom of the cam

This would explain the valve train noise anyway

Iam really confused

 

What engine

 

180° out ?

 

2 litre type 4

 

It wouldn't run surely

 

Don't worry, as long as the gap is ok with both valves shut, that's all the matters. If the cam is at a different position, I.e with one of the pair opening, the cam profile of the bit near the other valve is irrelevant and could be miles out. If that makes any sense

 

Gap is spot on at TDC

But it's the Loud valve clatter that concerns me

I know in Tom Wilsons book he has a different technique to setting valves not using TDC tempted to check that

 

Sorry didnt read it properly

 

I've got the same engine and I've got some noise, I also have set the gap, silly question you did do it with the engine stone cold

 

Stone cold mate not started for 2 days

 

Lol

 

I wouldn't worry, drive and enjoy

 

Lol

 

My 1600 engine is a bit clattery even though the valve clearances are correct. Same with my old mgb, perfect clearances, still get some tappet noise. I think its normal.

Better to have some clatter, than tight valves with no clearance as mine had when I bought it, two were tight.

 

Yeah I know mate it's just the clatter didn't Used to be there before my rebuild , something is amiss

 

I would check that isn't a heat exchanger/head exhaust leak. A bit of hose makes a good stethoscope.

 

whats it like when its warmed up

 

Bit quieter

 

Good shout

I did have to pull the nearside exchanger off insitu as when I installed the engine forgot to install the crossmember mount either end could not get the left one on as exchanger was in the way ....

Could be a leak there

 

If it is and there isn't a loose nut to easily cure it, loosen them all off a tad and re-tighten them