Stephen,
I definitely recommend you go ahead and adjust the valves. 5-1/2 years
seems a little long. It's a fairly simple procedure. I adjust mine at
least once a year, and usually twice. I just remove the spark plugs (so the
engine will turn easier) and valve cover, then put the car in gear and roll
it back or forward (depending on which direction I have the most room) until
I note a valve opening. I push or pull on the front wheel to roll the car -
This way I can watch the valves operate. When one fully opens, I just use
the "9 rule" to determine which valve to check/adjust. The number of the
valve that is open plus the number of the valve you are adjusting should be
equal to 9. In other words, if the no. 2 valve is fully open, adjust the
no. 7 valve. If the no. 5 valve is open, adjust the no. 4 valve (2+7=9,
5+4=9, etc.). The whole process usually takes less than 20 minutes.
Good luck!
Kurtis Jones
Russellville, Arkansas
1963 TR4 - CT19389L
1959 AH Bugeye - AN5L23250
www.geocities.com/tr4_1963
>
> All, I've noticed over the past couple of months that the valve tapping is
> getting louder (or at least it seems so to me). I just finished changing
> the oil (20W50) and am thinking about doing the valve adjustment (I have
> not done one since I bought the car 5 1/2 years ago). I have a page from a
> manual with TR3A specifications, so I know what the gap should be. Would
> anyone suggest some tips, procedures, caveats before I go about this
> project? Thanks.Steve PecaAnnandale, New Jersey1958 TR3A - TS23867L
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