4 replies to this topic

[Vipernoir]

With the IMM coming up, the club is getting together to iron out any niggles before we go, and it is inevitable that someone will have a noisy tappet.
I've always set tappets when the engine is stone cold, but we won't be able to let the engines cool down to proper overnight cold so there will be a certain amount of residual heat in them.

So I've been thinking - can they be set accurately when the engine is hot ?

[Old Bob]

It always used to be the case that engine manuals gave two figures, one for hot and the other cold. Certainly it can be done.

Bob

[Vipernoir]

I'll rephrase the question

Does anyone have a set of tappet clearances for a hot engine ?

[jaydee]

Its about 10 thou for a standard engine
If you check them hot you shouldnt have issues with parts expansion etc

[bmcecosse]

As long as not roasting hot straight off a fast run, there won't be any problems. But 'noise' is rarely 'tappets' anyway - and maintaining a gap under hot running conditions is uber important to prevent exhaust valve and seat burning. I suggest 15 thou valve gap for the exhausts - in fact I set mine to 18 thou, and it's not unduly noisy. Just think of it as the clickity whirr of a well oiled machine......