I just had my head redone on my 499cc 1970 500F and added new valves while I was in there. I adjusted the tappet to valve stem clearance to the recommended .15mm. I'm getting a lot of noise from the tappets! I don't remember it being this loud before. Any ideas why?

Please check - did you adjust the tappets to 15mm? This is incorrect

AndrewHarvey said:

Please check - did you adjust the tappets to 15mm? This is incorrect

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.15mm or 0.15mm is correct on a 500 engine. Put your glasses on Andrew.
When I rebuilt my 500 with one valve replaced and all of them lapped-in and new springs, it was very clackety when first run.
It might be quieter when you get it really hot...not hard to do.
Thousands of miles and two valve adjustments later mine sounds OK.
It's probably worth checking them again if you haven't already because there's always a chance that you got the adjustment wrong or a pushrod was in the wrong place.

Oooooh I missed the .
!

I don't see the point of a lot of things.

I'm sure the noise is everything bedding in.
As an aside - my engine has no head gasket - do I retorque the head as if it had one? Or leave everything alone?

AndrewHarvey said:

I'm sure the noise is everything bedding in.
As an aside - my engine has no head gasket - do I retorque the head as if it had one? Or leave everything alone?

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.....So you don't see the point of head-gaskets either?
I kind of half, don't see the point of torque-wrenches.

I've don't know if you should or not; so why am I answering? Well, it's because I do have a gasket, didn't use a torque-wrench on the head-nuts, never re-checked or re-tightened them and so far (12,000 miles) have had no problem that I am aware of.

So my suggestion is ....no.

I guess with air cooled it's less important - no coolant to worry about

I use a copper 'gasket' on my car mainly to compensate for any small imperfections between the cylinders and the head and yes, I do re-torque the head from time to time mainly out of habit than anything else. I know a couple of VW owners who run with no gaskets and they check head torques now and again, so I guess it's not a bad idea.

Traditionally valve clearances (and head torque) should be checked and set with the engine dead cold and new valves do take time to bed in on the seats. Rechecking clearances is also good practice, with intervals dictated by your level of paranoia and acuity of hearing.

When I rebuilt my engine I wasn't sure how 'tappety' it should be as I had nothing to compare it with, but over time I've noticed that it has quietened down considerably.

Chris

This makes sense. I guess everything has to bed-in since the valves are new and unworn. I will check tappet clearances from time to time but now I just want to get out there and enjoy my little car! Thanks for the replies.