Speed 6 DIY Tappet adjustment

[richard90]

Hi,

seen this mentioned loads of times but can't find any actuall info on adjusting your tappets DIY.

My Tuscan is well in need of adjustment, not to be a tight ar$e, more looking to get more involved with the car myself, I fancy having a go at the tappets.

I've done this loads of times or the old over head valve engines (mostly A-series) but never on a engine rquiring shimms.

Does anyone know the gap tollerences and have any tips on doing the job?

I've had a good search around the net and apart from covering the oil holes and spark plugs and that it's not supposed to be too harder job, I can't find much info.

Many thanks,

Richard.

[richard90]

thanks for all the pointers, I'll have a bash at this over xmas.
I'll let you know how it goes!

Cheers,

Richard.

[richard90]

JayB said:

Will be checking the gaps on my engine over the weekend, Quite happy to show you how I set them and give you an idea what kit you need. Could also give you a run though on balancing the throttles & TVR diagnostic software. Based nr Ilkley W Yorks if your interested

Hi Jay,

thanks very much for that, I'm moving this weekend/ early next week so wouldn't have time. Really appreciate your generous offer though.

Maybe I could call in when I'm next down your way?

Thanks again,

Richard.

[richard90]

Just completed adjusting the Valve clearance's, apart from the 2 valves nearest the gearbox, it really was an easy job.

Once you've cracked it, I'd say it's about 2 hours work, then another 2hrs if the 1 inlet and 1 exhaust nearest the gear box needs doing. Of course you have to wait for the new shims to arrive if you need any.

The windscreen rubbar on my car was due a replacemnt so I popped the faring off the bottom of the wind screen which gave much better access to the inner most valves. Run's sweet as you like now, no ticking at all form the head area!

An afternoon well spent, would happily do this as a regular item every year.

If I can give any pointers to anyone, just let me know.

Cheers,

Ricahrd.

[richard90]

I'd say my mechanical knowledge is quite good, though this is the first job I've done on the Tuscan. It takes some effort but I don't think would be beyond any one with some sense and paticence.

I learnt how to work on eingines on BL's A-series, they are really simple and always break so great to learn on! You could buy a knackered A-series for not a lot and work on that to learn, it's along process though. The best thing would be to get involved with a friend who has knowledege and learn that way.

Where do you live? Youre most welcome to help with the many jobs I do on my cars if youre in the North East?

Good luck, have fun getting your hands dirty!

Cheers,

Richard.

Daston said:

out of interest what sort of mechanical knowledge do you have? I would love to be able to do this sort of thing but wouldnt know where to start (in terms of measuering valve clearence etc. Is there any engines that use tappets that are easy/cheap to get hold of? Would like something to practice on before stripping the head down on the Tuscan...