TAPPET ADJUSTMENT
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TAPPET ADJUSTMENT
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TAPPET GAP ;
Set with the engine COLD ;
Inlet ; 6 Thou { 0.1524 mm } ; Exhaust ; 6 thou { 0.1524 mm }
Set with the engine HOT ;
Inlet ; 10 Thou { 0.2540 mm } ; Exhaust ; 10 thou { 0.2540 mm }
{ If you can set the tappets with the engine HOT you must have asbestos hands ! }
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There are a couple of METHODS you can use to check your tappets .
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METHOD 1 ;
Check / Set tappets on one cylinder at a time .
With the engine at Top Dead Centre on the Compression stroke and both valves closed ,
Set both inlet and exhaust on the same cylinder .
METHOD 2 ;
Use the rule of 9 .
With number 1 valve fully open set tappet number 8
With number 2 valve fully open set tappet number 7
With number 3 valve fully open set tappet number 6
With number 4 valve fully open set tappet number 5
With number 5 valve fully open set tappet number 4
With number 6 valve fully open set tappet number 3
With number 7 valve fully open set tappet number 2
With number 8 valve fully open set tappet number 1
NOTE ;
THE VALVES OPEN IN THE FOLLOWING SEQUENCE ;
VALVE OPEN ; .... ADJUST VALVE
I ............................... 8
3 ............................... 6
5 ............................... 4
2 ............................... 7
8 ............................... 1
6 ............................... 3
4 ............................... 5
7 ............................... 2
I find it easy to remember by writing the number sequence as above on a sheet of paper .
{ A } I then turn the engine and observe which valve is opening and circle the corresponding number .
{ B} I adjust the relevant valve and , when done , I circle that number and write the word " Done "
{ C } Repeat {A } above and the next valve to open should be the next number on the sheet so repeat { B } above
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PREPARATION ;
Remove the Drivers side engine access panel
Remove the hose from the rocker cover breather
Remove the air filter assembly
Remove the petrol hose from the carb
Remove the overflow hose from the carb { If fitted }
Remove the 2 nuts /washers { and brackets if fitted } holding the rocker cover on
Remove the rocker cover
{ You might have to give it a gentle tap on the side with a rubber mallet or a block of wood }
Remove the Distributor cap and HT leads
Remove the spark plugs
{ You do not have to remove them but it makes it a little easier to turn the engine with the spanner }
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Using METHOD 1 above;
Using a 9 / 16 AF spanner on the bolt in the middle of the engine fanbelt pulley
turn the engine in a clockwise direction
{ With the spanner in from the drivers side of the car pull the spanner UP towards you }
Turn the engine round till the rotor arm tip is pointing towards Number 1 cylinder
{ the one nearest the fan } and line up the Top Dead Centre Marks on the fanbelt pulley
and the timing cover { see diagram }
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/M83VnzZeali1f_VCZ3NBU0xp2BjIok7dhNG9om_g66Y?feat=directlink
Number 1 cylinder should now be on the compression stroke with both inlet and exhaust valves closed .
You should be able to easily move the rockers sideways against the springs on the shaft .
Check each gap by first inserting a 4 thou gauge then a six thou then try an eight thou one.
The FOUR thou should slide in easily ,
the SIX thou should be a grippy sliding fit
and the EIGHT thou should not fit .
To check the other cylinders just turn the engine round to the next cylinder
and check both valves are fully closed .
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If Adjustment is required then do as per following ;
ADJUSTING TAPPETS
Using a 7/16 AF or an 11mm ring spanner and a good fitting screwdriver slacken the locknut .
Both the following pics were hand modelled by my lovely assistant ; My Wife .
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JGRryowYAo9Oi9U8YBDHGQ?feat=directlink
Grind a screwdriver so that the tip is parallel instead of tapered .
This is to enable the screwdriver to fit SIDEWAYS into the slot on the adjuster or use a short “ T “ bar screwdriver .
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bTyCm6FakG7-IhZFTsUwDQ?feat=directlink
With the engine at Top Dead Centre on the Compression stroke and both valves closed ,
Set both inlet and exhaust tappets on the same cylinder .
Adjust the gap using the slotted adjuster .
When you have the gap correctly set just tighten up the locknut .
Keep the screwdriver in the slot and hold it in that position because when you tighten
the locknut you will turn the screw .
Check the gap after you have nipped the lock nut up .
It will have no doubt tightened and the gap will be TOO tight .
You will have to redo them again but this time lets try and be smart to try and fool the lock nut .
Set the gap to 8 thou instead of six and hopefully when you retighten
the gap will be 6 thou when you check it .
Unfortunately you might have to do this sequence a few times before
you get the gap correct .
Remember it is best to have the gap set correctly
but if you cannot get it exact then it is better to have a slightly slack tappet than a tight one .
NOTE ;
SOMETIMES THE LOCK NUTS EDGES ROUND OFF ,
SO BEWARE SKINT KNUCKLES !
SOMETIMES { VERY , VERY RARELY } ONE OF THE EDGES ON THE
SCREWDRIVER SLOT SNAPS OFF !
THIS WOULD MEAN THAT YOU WOULD HAVE
TO REPLACE THAT TAPPET ADJUSTER BY
REMOVING THE COMPLETE ROCKER SHAFT ASSEMBLY .
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Using METHOD 2 above ;
To check when each valve is fully open put your fingertip on top of the adjuster of the valve
which is GOING DOWN .
Using a 9 / 16 AF spanner turn the bolt in the middle of the engine fanbelt pulley turn the engine
in a clockwise direction
{ With the spanner in from the drivers side of the car pull the spanner UP towards you }.
As you continue to turn the engine SLOWLY
YOU WILL COME TO A POINT WHERE THERE WILL BE NO MOVEMENT DOWNWARDS and
IF YOU CONTINUE TURNING THE ENGINE YOU WILL FEEL THE VALVE STARTING TO GO upwards .
Stop turning the engine forwards and turn it back till you feel the valve just going UP again .
Now once again start turning the motor SLOWLY in a clockwise direction till you
COME TO A POINT WHERE THERE WILL BE NO MOVEMENT DOWNWARDS .
We will for the sake of easiness assume that the valve which is fully down { OPEN }
is number 8 { the one at the rear of the engine }
This means that you check the gap on number 1 tappet .
You should be able to move the rocker sideways easily .
Check each gap by first inserting a 4 thou gauge then a six thou then try an eight thou one
The FOUR thou should slide in easily ,
the SIX thou should be a grippy sliding fit
and the EIGHT thou should not fit .
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If Adjustment is required then do as per following ;
ADJUSTING TAPPETS
Using a 7/16 AF or an 11mm ring spanner and a good fitting screwdriver slacken the locknut .
Both the following pics were hand modelled by my lovely assistant ; My Wife .
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/JGRryowYAo9Oi9U8YBDHGQ?feat=directlink
Grind a screwdriver so that the tip is parallel instead of tapered .
This is to enable the screwdriver to fit SIDEWAYS into the slot on the adjuster or use a short “ T “ bar screwdriver .
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/bTyCm6FakG7-IhZFTsUwDQ?feat=directlink
Adjust the gap using the slotted adjuster .
When you have the gap correctly set just tighten up the locknut .
Keep the screwdriver in the slot and hold it in that position because when you tighten
the locknut you will turn the screw .
Check the gap after you have nipped the lock nut up .
It will have no doubt tightened and the gap will be TOO tight .
You will have to redo them again but this time lets try and be smart to try and fool the lock nut .
Set the gap to 8 thou instead of six and hopefully when you retighten
the gap will be 6 thou when you check it .
Unfortunately you might have to do this sequence a few times before
you get the gap correct .
Remember it is best to have the gap set correctly
but if you cannot get it exact then it is better to have a slightly slack tappet than a tight one .
To adjust all the others just notice which valve is going down and set the relevant other numbered tappet .
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Reliant World forum member " cloudbase " reminded me that I had forgotten to add the following info ;
................................................
After adjustment , using a 9 / 16 AF spanner on the bolt in the middle of the engine fanbelt pulley ,
turn the engine in a clockwise direction a couple of full revolutions .
Now recheck the gaps and adjust if required
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TAPPET ADJUSTER LOCKNUT
RELIANT PART NUMBER 50703
THREAD ; 1/4" UNF
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Disclaimer:/ SMALL PRINT !!!!!
I take no responsibility for loss , damage or injury of any kind caused by use of tips or advice from
this web site or any other sites from the links I have given !!!
Such details and links are put there to provide a possible guide or solution to a problem but it is
the responsibility of the user to ensure that any details and links given are safe and practical .
Do not try and copy anything you see on the links if you do not feel competent enough to decide
if the advice given is good , bad or otherwise then please seek expert opinion.
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