Adjusting tappets

[Ufudu]

Not finishing my Morris' resto-maintenance before my own demise is my room 101....

But... we are progressing!!![frame][/frame][frame][/frame]

[Ufudu]

Sorry! Thread hijack?

[M25VAN]

There was available at one time the SPQR 'click adjust' tool that was intended for valve gap setting with the engine running...never used one....but I think they have a certain 'following' .
Here's a wee link to how it is used....... http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/ ... tm?t=46271

I don't think these were intended for use when the engine was running. Their main use was to set the gap while allowing for any wear in the tappet face that feeler gauges would miss. I don't suppose the wear amounted to that much and was maybe beneficial in actually giving a slightly bigger gap than measured. Probably ending up close to your 15thou recommended Mr BMC.

[bmcecosse]

It's MG Rover who recommend the 15 thou gap matey! And it was always my understanding the click-adjust was to be used on a running engine - but I have never used one, nor will I ...

[M25VAN]

Sorry for apportioning credit where it wasn't due and I didn't think you would be a fan.
I think the SPQR would be tricky to use on a running engine whith everything moving up and down. They were quicker to use (for me) than feelers, screwdriver and spanner. Having said that mine is lost in the back of the garage somewhere.....

[bmcecosse]

I'm sure you are right - dig it out and give us a demo!

[M25VAN]

Let me find it first and I will see what I can do...

[PaulTubby]

All the workshop manuals including factory states 12 thou Roy?

[bmcecosse]

Carry on Paul..... All later A series are specified by MG Rover at 15 thou - to take account of unleaded fuel. But feel free to run 12 thou if you wish!

[PaulTubby]

Was just asking Roy ... no worries..

[bmcecosse]

Seriously - the 15 thou gap on the exhaust valves allows the valve stem to expand with heat (and unleaded burns hotter than good old leaded) without closing the gap. It won't make the slightest difference to performance. I actually run 18 thou on exhausts - after experiencing some misfiring and back-firing when running the engine hard (uphill M'way with foot to the floor ) in hot summer weather.