A few people have said to me that my engine sounds like I have excess valve clearance. I appreciate it is a little noisy at the top end.
I find setting the valve clearances a bit hit and miss and a pain to do due to poor access but always set them as close to the wsm figures of 8 and 10 thou as possible.
I have heard that some set them a little tighter at 6 and 8 thou and also read that Rupert Ratio has a different way of setting them and as long as there is clearance when cold, all is ok as the clearance increases with engine temp.
I don't have Rupert Ratios book so not sure what he exactly says in it. Can someone enlighten me?
Interesting to hear what others do when it comes to valve clearances.
Hi Adrian the book says he basically sets his clearances to virtually nil but does not accept responsibility for this < I guess it is up to the individual to try and see > I have just set mine to 2 thou each b25 starfire after a recent rebuild and it is definitely quieter but I will check again later when engine is hot just to confirm just to be safe . the Rupert ratio engine rebuild book is worth getting it is a goldmine of information on unit singles > I have all 4 reprints as well as the other 2 books for singles > hope this helps you regards johnboy .
Thanks John
That's what I assumed he said. I have set mine on the B40 to 6 and 8 thou and it is still noisy. It is a new rebuild with new valve guides and valves so after a few hundred miles they may well have settled in and the gaps may close a little. I have also found that the wsm for the B40 says that the valve clearances are to be checked in a different way to just setting the engine to tdc and checking the clearances.
I found it makes no difference to the clearances which ever way they are set! I have also checked several times to be sure.
I suggest set valve clearances as per BSA advice - doing it that way the cam of the valve being check is on its base circle. Checked at TDC the cams will be on the quietening ramp part of cam - the clearance is already being taken up for the valve being opened.