Andy wrote:
>
> Ted,
> Interesting point on setting the lash .002 over. A very good German friend of
> mine worked as a mechanic while going to university over there. I asked
> him why all german cars had valve rattle. Guess what? Same answer. I
> think most if not all German mechanics set the valves loose.
> Andy D.
There's another reason for going just a bit wide on the valves, as Ted
suggested and I implied... as the valves and seats wear, the valves go
deeper into the seats, and the valve lash decreases. A little over on
the adjustment minimizes the chance of burning a valve over a
considerable period of time. Unlike LBC fanatics such as ourselves, who
_seek out_ opportunities to do valve adjustments <g>, most people don't
get valves adjusted very regularly, so it's a bit of insurance.
The other thing done by that small additional amount of clearance is to
take some of the strain off the valve gear as the lifter climbs the ramp
on the lobe. In fact, that may be only reason why so many aftermarket
and racing cams call for _more_ clearance--more radical ramps--so the
acceleration is a good deal faster.
Cheers.
|