Another tappet/litter question - engine noisy after Ratwell

[jamesandtheopenroad]

Adjusted my lifters today using the Haynes instructions but with the Ratwell 1.5 turns from contact.

There was a small amount of movement in the arms so I pulled them away from the valve - around 1 to 2mm - before making the adjustment. Was that correct or should they have been pushed in?

Anyway the engine was incredibly noisy on start up. Took it out for a very quick drive and although it felt more responsive, the noise didn't die down. Doesn't sound like the usual bleed down tappet sound either. Sounds, well, mean.

Have I missed something?

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Hydraulic tappets..

Do them cold.. I drain the engine oil the night before when warm,,

Set up on TDC nr 1 cylinder..

Paint with tippex (or similar) a mark opposite (180 deg) the timing mark..

Then on nr1 cylinder .. both valves..

Hold adjusting screw steady and release the locking nut..

Take up any slack..making sure the pushrod is really well engaged top and bottom..

Just when the screw touches.. I put 1 turn for an initial set up..

Using a socket on the end of the crank turn the engine 1/2 turn ANTI clockwise..

Now do nr 2 cylinder..

1/2 turn again .. nr 3....and so on..

Then turn the engine over a few times.. (clock wise)..

And recheck them again..

to 1 1/2 turns..

Works for me..

Cordialement,

[jamesandtheopenroad]

Thanks Sarran.

Adjusted them all from TDC but what do you mean make sure pushrod us engaging properly.

I undid the screws fully and them screwed them back in until touching, then 1.5 from there. Should the arms that they are in be touching too when the screw is out or have the slight gap I mentioned?

Thanks

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Yes.. just touching .. meaning that there is no play between tappet..pushrod..rocker.. and valve..

then 1 or 1 1/2 turns..

Hope thats clearer..

Cordialement,

[jamesandtheopenroad]

Rightio. I'll give it another go in the morning.

[jamesandtheopenroad]

Another quick question before I start. Do you have to drop the oil before adjustment or can it be done without draining?

Thanks

[ghost123uk]

I have never dropped the oil, and sarran1955's reference to it is the first time I heard of it. I know sarran1955 is a well experienced and expert engineer on these engines, but I can't see what dropping the oil from an engine would do re tappet adjustment

[jamesandtheopenroad]

Okey dokey. Thanks again guys.

It's all a little nerve racking trying to tackle new things on a van. Never 100% you've done it right and any potential damage that may ensue.

[jamesandtheopenroad]

All done.

Purrrrr

[ghost123uk]

So was it simply 1.5 turns in from touching at TDC when cold ?
Was it Purrrr straight away or tap tap till primed up ?

[jamesandtheopenroad]

Number 3 was still tap tap, but that's the one that always seems to be the drain down culprit. Compression on that one was down pre adjustment yesterday too, but didn't have time to do another test today. Will do one next week and just see how we get on from here.

Can't afford a new engone at the moment anyway.