A-Series tappets

[Dean]

I'm in need of help.

I might be sounding thick but need help on adjusting tappets on the A series.

I've read on how to do it, with the help of Mr. Haynes, but struggling with a couple of things.

1. How are the tappets numbered?

2. What does a tappet look like when open, is it up or down?

3. Turning the engine to adjust the others?

I'm sure there are plenty on here who've done it, so help would be very much appreciated.

Cheers

Dean.

[H48HPE]

No.1 is at the pully end of the engine, the book tells you which rocker to valve clearance should be checked when a particular valve has been pressed down, for example check number 1 valve to rocker clearance when number 8 valves been opened up by its rocker.

the pictures shown should make it obvious.

your checking the gap between the top of the valve and the rocker which presses it, but it has to be done with a certain valve fully opened up as stated in haynes.

to get the valves to move u turn the engine by hand at the pully wheel or i just lifted one of the front wheels off the ground and with the engine in 4th and the plugs lose to stop compression i turned the road wheel which turns the engine over and did it that way


Andy

[tony]

theres a rule of nine for the tappets which meens that when munber 8 tappet is fully down you check number 1 , 8+1=9
the same as when number 3 is fully down you check number 6 ,3+6=9
i am sure you get the idea .
take the plugs out when checking ,do it with a cold engine and turn the engine over by hand or a socket on the end of the crank shaft,-make sure you turn the engine in the correct direction
good luck tony:)

[F690OTF(RIP)]

Back when we had a Mini, we turned the engine when doing the tappets by just sticking it in 4th (I assume) and pushing the car backwards and forwards.

Why does it matter which way you turn the engine? As long as you check which valve's open and make sure you adjust the right tappet each time it won't make a difference, will it? :confused:

[tony]

Originally posted by F690OTF(RIP)


Why does it matter which way you turn the engine?
i have no idea why i was always told to do it that way .
probably just a good practice .:confused:

[D87 SMW]

The Rule of Nine only applies to engines like those fitted to the Maestro and Montego, amongst others. This method is used in compliance to the order the cylinders fire at. This type of engine uses the Rule of Nine method due to the firing order of 1-3-4-2.

The other method is called the Rock method which is used on Ford engines, due to their cylinder firing order of 1-2-4-3. I'm not quite sure how this method works though... but either way, as Tony said, tappet adjustment must be done whilst the engine is cool. If it is warm, the metals would have expanded slightly and the clearances will be smaller.

[e692wtt]

You check the tappets in the order 8 6 4 7 1 5 3 2 starting at any point in the sequence depending on which valves are open and shut. the "rule of 9" comes in thus... if valve no 1 is open (ie it is pressed down fully by the tappet on top) you set the tappet clearance on no 8 (will be fully shut). Then when valve no 3 (the next in the sequence) is open you set tappet clearance no 6 (shut). Then when no 5 is open etc etc. Valve no 1 is that nearest the fan belt, as someone says above.

The sequence as above is the order in which the valves are fully shut (or open) in sequence, and you can turn the engine over by rocking the car forwards (and then back to get the appropriate valve fully shut, if you need to) in 4th gear on a flat surface (it will roll down a slope and possibly kill you if you try it on a hill...).

;)

[Dean]

Cheers lads,

A-Series now running a lot sweeter, shame about the blowing exhaust now!!!

Cheers

Dean.

[Landcrab1800]

Hi,

Turning the engine in direction of rotation is just good practice when working with the rochers. What it does do is get you into the habbit for when you do the points and timing.

Have fun

[E_T_V]

Points? What are they : ;) :D

On the subject of tappets how often should you do them? I'm sure Mr haynes has a recommendation but how often do yours need doing?

[tony]

how do u eat yours?tappies are done once every 12,000 miles,remember to slacken the locknut 1st:)

[Austin-Rover]

You sound like an expert Tony, there's a car on your drive that needs it if you want to practice...

;)

[Landcrab1800]

points are the things that if they go wrong are cheap to replace and can be done by yourself.

My MG is nice BUT stuff the electronics, if I could it would have points.

Cheers