I also set them while running. It is very easy, I never have once got
burnt. If you have ever had the valve cover off while the engine is
running, you will see that the spitfire engine does not spray oil, it more
or less dribbles it up there.
IMHO, running is the only way to correctly set the gap. You will never get
the exact place on the lobe by rocking the car, in gear to get to the "high"
spot. But you will running.
What I do is, set them cold, as close as possible.
Set shop rags around the top of the head to catch fugitive oil.
Check them while the engine is running. You should be able to push the
feeler gauge above the pushrod with a little feedback. If it slides in and
out easy - too loose. Can't get it in, too tight.
I learned this from my Dad, and he owned more British cars than I ever will.
I believe on the old race car he took an old valve cover, cut the top off so
that he had a wall all the way around to catch the oil. Not good to have
oil on the frame of a race car.
It's really not as scary as you think! I don't see how you could loose a
finger if you wanted to.
Bill
Spits and Sprites
-----Original Message-----
And one local LBC mechanic adjusts MG tappets with the engine RUNNING,
according to a friend who has one. The mind boggles.... I would be afraid
of losing a finger!
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