Today , I removed the cam covers , so I could measure exhaust and intake tappet clearance....
With the rear wheels off the ground, (on bridge jack), I managed to rotate the engine to measure the exhaust and intake clearance....
Having never done this , I double-checked the figures...
I measured from the base of each lobe to the tappet ...
The measurements ranged from .0010 , to .0060 ....
Checking on this forum, some threads talk about much larger clearances , like .015....
So I guess the question is , are my clearances way to tight, or am I doing something wrong when measuring? I do get quite a bit of tappet noise with the engine running.
Thanks for the input.
Edward

 

my driver's handbook shows:
Early cars (cold) Inlet- .004 in.
Exhaust- .006 in.


Later years Inlet - .012 - .014 in.
Exhaust - .012 - .014 in.


So for some reason the clearances increased... not sure why. You are ahead of me by a few weeks, I want to check my valve clearances once it gets colder and I need to stop driving her.


Alfred

 

Your Series 2 car should have the later parabolic camshafts, although it is always possible that they have been changed at some point. These were used in attempt to decrease tappet noise. They should be set at 12 thou inlet and 14 thou exhaust.
An easier method for turning the engine is to remove the spark plugs and use a socket on the large nut on the harmonic balancer.
If you do really have tappet clearances as low as 1 thou this needs to be rectified, both to set them correctly and also to ascertain if there is a valve or valve seat problem that has caused this.
Regardless, these are both complex jobs. Unless you have reshimmed OHC heads before I would suggest you take your car to someone experienced in work of this nature. If they measure the clearances and they are indeed as you say they can then advise you from there.

 

My cam clearances are definitely the early clearances....checked and rechecked...I don't know how to determine if this is an older head on a later engine, an earlier camshaft, or , even an earlier (series 1.5), engine... The nose of my '70 is from a '68, so it's quite possible that the engine is also....I have opened up the smallest clearance gaps....

Edward

 

Check serial # on forward part of head between cams forward of spark plug. KE????/9 or something like that. Will give the approx. yr of head.

 

Where is the year-to-number information posted?
Thanks
Edward

 

You might find it on JCNA website. I have some books I can look and see. Just compared my MK1 to production numbers. I have the 483rd and the 843rd made. My 58 was the 7th car produced after fire. Post me the head # I will research and let you know.