8 replies to this topic

[Spitz]

Just changed head gasket....I set valve lash at .012"

I'll be retorquing shortly and wondering what people with an SW5 are setting the gaps to.....and is it same for intake and exhaust?

 

1098 with SW5 and pressed steel rockers.

 

Thanks

 

( I ask as I was told SW5 benefits from larger gap )

[Midas Mk1]

Sw5 15 thou standard rockers and 16 with 1.5 rockers.

Edited by Midas Mk1, 14 October 2021 - 05:47 PM.

[Cooperman]

I always set to 0.012" on everything.

Never had any problems and been doing it since 1961.

Remember, the clearance is only there to ensure full valve closure when the engine is hot. The temperature of the valves does not change between cams, som the valve length is around the same for all valves.

It is true that smaller clearances gives a bit more cam duration, but in the main it is negligible. I have never heard of a 12 thou valve clearance disappearing when the engine got hot, even on full race engines which have overheated.

[GraemeC]

I've always used 0.012" on standard rockers and opened up to (max) 0.015" on 1.5x ratio rockers for the SW5 (or any cam to be fair)

[Midas Mk1]

My values are from Swiftune themselves, but as always, do what you thinks best. 

[Spitz]

Thank you...

 

When I retorque the head I will set to .015    I'll see if there's any noticeable change or if too noisy etc.

[JXC Mini GT]

My minispares Bill Richards 1293 engine with standard rockers and the EVO 1 cam is set at 15 thou

[OzOAP]

Do what Swiftune recommend.
Tappet clearance is critical to the life of your cam.
As said earlier, one reason for a clearance is making sure the valve closes, the other is the shape of lobe.
Most Kent cams recommend 0.016, Piper 0.012, that is due to the profile design and the acceleration ramp on the lobe.
Do what the cam supplier says, not the bloke on the internet.

[Spitz]

I did as Midas MkI said.....as it's from Swiftune.  So, set at .015"..... all seems fine.  Not noisy at all.  Of course, no noticeable difference on the road.