Adjusting Valve-Advice

C

Cajun

Senior Member
I have adjustable lifters on my "B" engine.

When it was first assembled, there was a light clicking that grew louder over time. I decided to adjust the valves. One of the lifters was very loose. The clearance was over .040. The nut on the lifter is much easier to turn than the others. I suspect that it has moved over time.

How do you keep this from happening? Do you put something like Locktite on the treads?

Any help would be appreciated.

Z
 

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There is a Loctite product that is put on after assembly. I'm not sure how well it will work on oily threads but it is worth a try. Another option might be to screw the adjuster out a few threads and gently whack the threads with a center punch or chisel so the threads will be tight when at their operating length.
 
This is why I don't like single lock lifters. Double locks are harder to adjust in the beginning but, they don't come loose. If they do, it is the adjusters fault.
 
Spray out the threads well with Brake cleaner. Use the type 242 loctite. Then change your oil. Not sure if the lifter clearance is adjusted warm or cold....
 
INT valves A & B .010" to .013" EX valves A .015" to .017",B EX valves .020" to .022". I use double lock lifters in my B engine & while they are harder to adjust, the adjustment is still fine after 14,000 miles.Do as on post#4 & use the 242 loctite.
 
PaulShinn said:
Is there a step-by-step somewhere how to adjust the double lock valve tappets? "The Book" isn't clear on this.
Click to expand...

This works well for me:

Holding the lifter body, loosen the locknut JUST ENOUGH to be able to turn the bolt with some difficulty. Hold the locknut when decreasing the clearance (turning the bolt out) and hold the lifter body when increasing the clearance (turning the bolt in).

When adjustment is complete, tighten the locknut and re-check final clearance.

Some folks cut down the lifter bosses to allow adjustment when the valve is down. I don't care to lose the lifter body support. I use a notebook and the rule of nines. When number 1 valve is up, check number 8. When number 2 valve is up, check number 7. Go through the valves making notes of the clearances. Most adjustable lifters use a thread pitch of 20 per inch, so one turn is 0.050", 1/4 turn is 0.0125" and so forth. Use this relationship to get a feel for how much to turn the bolt. Make a second trip through the valves adjusting 8 when 1 is up and so forth, and a third trip to check. Once you get the hang of it, the process goes fairly quickly.

Joe
 
Are you using a stock cam or a regrind or new cam ? Be aware that the double nut lifters that are sold at the moment are undersize!!! they can trash an original cam !!fast !!! and should not be used with a stock B cam . Have a look at Vinces excellent site The Ford Garage Re; valve lifters .Better to stick with the single nut or original ones.
John Cochran
 
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