MGB & GT Forum

For diagnostic purpose that I won't get into, what setting cold for my stock /80 engine?

I remember too, Ernie would set his (1,4,5,8) exhausts (I believe) , one or two thou. greater than intake. Is there justification for this?

In past I'd do .015 on all.

I set 'em at .015" (cold) on my '80.

I've been working on solid lifter engines for almost 40 years. There is always a bit of noise from them, especially 'flat' rockers. Rollers are quieter, but there's still an obvious 'solid' lifter sound. It's important to follow the procedure for adjusting sequence so you can be sure you are adjusting a rocker while the cam is not lifting the valve at all. Folks adjusting valve clearance with the cam not at the 'low point' is a very common source of tapping noise. Of course, adjusting valves can't be accomplished with any real success unless the components are all in good working order.

Yes, some engines do spec different clearances for intake and exhaust. Not your stock engine.

You Hardly Slept? I only got 4 hours last night!
Why this name?

I have a big thin spanner that goes on crank bolt, and turn engine by hand until composite of #9 is 100% at top.

Still would like figure for quieter running.

HardlySlept is a name I started using many years ago when I was working two full time jobs. I've owned/operated several businesses since the '80s and they have all had HardlySlept as part of the name. Although I'm now retired for health reasons, I still 'hardly sleep'!

After you've adjusted your valves, and made sure that the entire valve train is in good condition, take a listen to the results of your work. If it's still a bit noisy for you, consider trying a cast aluminum valve cover instead of the (I'm assuming) stock sheet metal cover. The cast cover seems to be a little bit quieter and seems to change the pitch of valve noise a bit. Of course, you always have another option, one that I found to work perfectly to 'eliminate' valve noise. Just go with a louder exhaust system!

"made sure that the entire valve train is in good condition"
What does that mean / entail.

I don't want to change anything but lash, and asking what is minimum clearance cold.

Any further explanation is too complicated now.

I understand! Let's keep it simple. If the car is running well, adjust the valves cold to .015" and drive it.

The valve train parts are all prone to wear. What may be very helpful for you is to find an MGB in your area and take a listen to that engine. More thank likely, all is well and your noise level is normal.

"I understand!"
Respectfully you don't.

Still seeking that smaller number.

I am happy to speak with you on phone now to explain. Send me PM with your number.

Or if not, still wondering about: "make sure that the entire valve train is in good condition".

PM sent.

You're asking a question that doesn't have an answer for reasons you won't explain then telling Chris he doesn't understand.

If you want them to stop tapping set them closer to .012 or tighter. There is no factory standard setting for "no tapping". If Ernie sets them a certain way then ask him and share that nugget of wisdom with us.

It is a solid lifter engine, you don't want any solid lifter tapping at all ????? Best advice I can give you is, never run the engine .

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Hap Waldrop
Acme Speed Shop
864-370-3000
Website: www.acmespeedshop.com
hapwaldrop@acmespeedshop.com

Set them to 0.013. For a quieter engine. There is no difference in performance.

.

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Life's most persistent and urgent question is, "What are you doing for others?"



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 2017-10-16 06:21 PM by riley1489.

The progression would be: rebush or replace rockers, reface/reharden rocker foot, replace rocker shaft with treated unit, set valve lash hot at a lower lash. These steps would reduce the noise but not eliminate it. Extra noise can also be caused by worn springs, worn valve-stems/guides.

Posters are wary of providing an exact lower number for lash since the result could be a burned exhaust valve if lash goes to zero (or less). If you experiment with lower lash setting, be SURE to set hot, paying special attention to the exhaust valves. Re-check a little more frequently to ensure the lash is not going below your setting due to wear.

As noted, it's the nature of the beast, more noise when cold, a little less when warmed up, but always there.

I was telling someone last weekend; several years ago I was at the Indy Speedway Museum, the staff cranked a early 60's Offy engined car from cold. Cold it sounded like a large coffee can half-full of bolts being shaken violently but once warm and at rpm, what a sweet sound!

This is easy to answer - just set the clearance to zero, or perhaps a little lower! You'll burn your valves and ruin your engine - but it will be very quiet until that happens!

As someone mentioned, some of the valve clatter can be due to excessive clearance in the rocker arm bushings (to the rocker shaft).

You could probably safely shave a couple of thousandths off the factory spec if you are really determined, but I doubt you'll get much reduction in the clatter anyway.

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Terry Ingoldsby
terry.ingoldsby@DCExperts.com

No matter what the lash setting you also have to realize that the cold and warm sounds are going to be different. It takes ten minutes or so for my tappet noise to settle down as the parts expand and reduce the lash.

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Dave