tappet clearance

[rosco]

Marty, I'm still a bit hit and miss on the internet at present...sorry for the delay.

The method shown to me was to loosen off the locknut, start the engine, fit the feeler gauge and screw down until there was just a hint of a "miss" in the engine.
The trick was to do this with those blasted pushrods "rocking' the arms.... I have seen ring spanners made up to incorporate a screwdriver for the purpose.

The "on the rock" method affords the minimum clearance between the pushrod and rocker adjusters from when the valve just began to move from its seat.

I have made mention of a wonderful little tool I imported from England back in the days when I had a grey motor..... SPQR tappet adjuster - very clever... and if they are still available, I would suggest everyone chase one down for adjusting tappets.
Basically, there was a knurled knob which turned a flat blade screwdriver. This was located within a spanner with a handle for tightening/loosening the lock nut.
At operating temperature, one simply loosened off the locknut with the tool, turned down the screwdriver until the over-riding clutch drive "clicked".... it was simply then a case of backing off two clicks for 8 thou and three for 12. Once set, the lever was pulled which secured the lock-nut.
The process completely took into effect any wear or pitting between the adjusting screw and the pushrod - and afforded exactly the 8 and 12 thou needed.

One thing I also picked up on was to block off the drain port of the rocker assembly whilst adjusting ....... it caused oil pressure of a warm engine not to drop at idle should there be any play in the rocker shafts and arms.

You can fabricate a shield from an old rocker cover which is used when adjusting tappets.... it is open at the top, but when screwed down, almost makes leaking oil from the top of the head a memory....

frats,
Rosco

[MeFB]

Fit the appropriate socket onto this little jigger and away you go

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Clik-Adjust-Mic ... nt&vxp=mtr

[rosco]

Looks very similar to the SPQR unit - except the black handle cover is smaller. For the price, I would want to know that it employs the over-riding clutch when zero clearance is reached.

These units are not suitable for "on the rock" adjustment - they will not wind down the tappet screw beyond zero clearance against the valve spring.

frats,
Rosco

[fbvan]

This shows that unit in action. Seems the go.

http://www.mgcc.co.uk/mg-forum.html?fun ... 1&id=10226
Brian