valve clearances

[SR]

howdy folks ,ineed to determine if the splitty engine is worth stripping down for new seals/gaskets ect....,so compression test on the weekend, also ive never done valves before, how do u know what numbers they are regarding rule of nine? thanks lads,steve

[Alec]

Hello Steve,
simply count your valves from the radiator back, adjust number one with number eight fully open, number two with number seven open etc.

Alec

[ColinP]

Steve,

I find the easiest way of doing valves is to take out the plugs and turn the engine with the starting handle. Then you can re-gap the plugs at the same time!

(teaching granny to suck eggs). You'll need a ring spanner, screwdriver and the correct size feeler gauge. And possibly a new rocker cover gasket - Murphy's law states that if you don't have a spare, then the old one will tear!

Colin

[Cam]

Get some Hylomar blue or some other non-setting gasket goo and use it to 'stick' the new cork gasket to the rocker cover. that way it will hold it in place propery when you fit it. Also put some gasket goo round the bottom of the new seal and you should get a leak free rocker cover!

When working to the rule of 9 it helps to have a manual open (if you are not used to it) as they don't all 'rock' in sequence as you turn the starting handle so after setting one I used to make a small oil mark next to the list in the manual with the end of the feeler gauge. Then you know which you have set and which you haven't.

Taking the plugs out is a very good suggestion as it makes things much easier.

[Kevin]

Also if you look carefully when they are in the rocking position you can do two at a time.

[SR]

ill give it a go tommorow ,thanks a lot boys,steve

[bmcecosse]

Not quite - only do one at a time - and then turn on to the next one. Set 12 thou inlets and 15 thou exhaust. And NO - don't put gasket goo on both faces of the rocker gasket - just stick it to the cover with a thin film and leave the other face clear. You can use it over and over again.

[chickenjohn]

I've photocopied the relevant page in the manual for SR, and he's sorted now!!

[Cam]

And NO - don't put gasket goo on both faces of the rocker gasket - just stick it to the cover with a thin film and leave the other face clear. You can use it over and over again.

Well, if you want an oil tight seal then the gasket goo on both sides is better than one. When you next take the rocker cover off then replace the gasket. I suppose it depends on how often you plan on taking the rocker cover off.........

[SR]

cheers lads, done v. clearances and was running quieter, but compression test wasnt very good ,so its coming out complete with box this week, and ill be seeing what the engine in the s.2 trav is like,then make my mind up,CAM did u see the pics on weblink of new rocker asembly, hopefully its had other work done,steve

[bmcecosse]

So what are the compression test figures ? Do tell !

[SR]

50-75psi with no real improvment with oil in bores,cheers

[bmcecosse]

Now that is REALLY low ! Was that with all the plugs out, fully charged battery, engine hot, and throttle held open ? I did my Traveller on Friday - 165/170 psi all 4 bores - and it hasn't been touched for 6 years - it's a leaded 12g295 head - and i run it on unleaded with no additive - and it gets thrashed !
So - no improvement with oil in the bores tells me the problem is with the valves - so I suggest you just lift the head - and stick on another (known good) one. Much easier than engine out !!

[SR]

thanks bmc ,might try that,steve

[Multiphonikks]

Isn't it a point though that engines generally get slightly better on compression when regularly used???

Having said that, 70psi sounds terribly low.

[Cam]

Steve, Yeah those rockers are the later type..... Like bmcecosse says, 50-75 psi is very low.

So - no improvement with oil in the bores tells me the problem is with the valves - so I suggest you just lift the head - and stick on another (known good) one. Much easier than engine out !!

If you have a good known head then that's definately the way forward.

I did my Traveller on Friday - 165/170 psi all 4 bores - and it hasn't been touched for 6 years - it's a leaded 12g295 head - and i run it on unleaded with no additive - and it gets thrashed !

Sounds very good (pressure wise)..... that's the thing with VSR though. You don't really notice it until it's too late!

[bmcecosse]

Well - if the rings are 'stuck' then the compressions will be low - but adding oil would make some improvement. Best tip I know for freeing off stuck rings is a good soak in diesel for a few days - just squirt it in the plug hole - turn over on the handle, and leave it - adding a bit more each day. Start it up as far away from the Vatican as possible - or they may get the wrong messsage !!

[SR]

well im gonna fire up trav engine with later/new rocker assembly ,if its ok its going in saloon, or maybe use the head on saloon engine

[bmcecosse]

Ah well I check my valve clearance from time to time ! I'm just a bit surprised that ALL your readings were so low - are you sure the gauge is reading ok ? Have you checked it on a known good engine ? But assuming it's good - just changing the head will almost certainly sort it out.

[turbominor]

is it me or does the pic of steve's engine look like a 1300?

has later rockers and the very square fronted head just like my 1300

will all the mods to the sr's trav it is likley it would be a 1300? manifold looks like a later 1 3/4 4bolt one?