7 replies to this topic

[eeae6000]

Today i replaced my head gasket, i began by removing exhaust, carb, hoses, rad and draining oil and coolant, then i removed valve cover, loosened rocker cover bolts, removed rocker arm assembly then removed Tappets. (all were kind of suctioned in and kept in order) and then i removed head, i replaced gasket and put head back on, while putting the tappets back in, all of them had the suction sicky feeling except one and i cant figure out why, (its the exhaust valve tappet on the 2 cyl), now when i start it the exhaust valve for cly 2 doesnt open and on the intake stroke the exhaust shots out the carb.


my question is, what holds the tappets in, am i missing something or doing it wrong, im so lost.

[bmcecosse]

Is this a 998 engine - or a 1275? You say you removed the 'tappets' - do you really mean the 'push rods' ??? These fit into cam followers (sometimes know as 'tappets')down in the block - where they run on the surface of the camshaft lobes. I see you have a 998 engine...... So when you refitted the pushrod to that #2 exhaust - did you manage to get the gap set correctly? Or was the pushrod sitting far too low ? I suspect you have pulled up the cam follower - and it will be lying on it's side in the chest space. Don't panic - you can remove the cover on the back of the block - fit the follower back down in the guide hole - and then refit the cover and the push rod - and set the valve gap.

Edited by bmcecosse, 16 June 2012 - 10:01 PM.

[eeae6000]

yes its a 998, never set the gap because i never got that far, by cover you mean the square plates on the back? is this hard to do with motor in car?

[eeae6000]

can i remove those covers without draining the oil or do i need to drain the oil?

[bmcecosse]

Not easy access - but yes you can take it off and no need to drain. You MUST reset all the valve gaps before starting the engine. Maybe this is the problem ?? Just need to set the gaps ? Take the rocker cover off - is the pushrod for that valve very loose - rattling about ?? Take care! It may be able to drop down into the gearbox - so get a hold of it right now and make sure it can't drop........

[eeae6000]

yes its very loose, when i have my buddy rotate the motor i can feel the lobes on the cam as it turns, so i think its the follower like you said

[bmcecosse]

Wrap tape round it to make sure it can't escape down into the gearbox !!! And then ease the rocker over to the side -and pull the pushrod up and away until you get that follower refitted.

[tiger99]

If I wanted to take the tappet chest covers off, I generally removed the complete manifild and carb assembly, which does not take long with a standard setup, and if necessary undid the engine steadies to allow it to tilt forwards. I have fairly big hands, and found that there was plenty of room.

You can also get at them fairly easily if the radiator is out.