Also trying to get the engine tip top
(Copied from post addressed to danny_p)When I bought this car 8 years ago from the previous owner of 17 years I questioned it's rattly head (typical worn DX solid lifter sound that I often compare to the clattery sound of the old ford OHV engine). The owner said that it had been like it for as long as he could remember, as far as he was aware it was down to the high lift cam and was normal. I took this with a pinch of salt and planned to check the clearances. I never got round to it as it got smashed up soon after purchase.
I must add that it had always been meticulously serviced from day one.
My previous (standard DX engined) MK1 sounded similar so I am use to it but that had some serious mileage and therefore I put it's clattering down to wear and tear.
I have owned and heard quiet DX heads on MK1's that are setup properly so I naturally assume I can address this one.
Anyway, I'm getting round to giving this motor a decent once over and last night started with the head by checking the clearances. The Richard Lloyd cold clearances differ from standard and documented in imperial.
INLET EXHAUST
0.008" 0.016"
Believe it or not, with a 132k on the clock the exhaust clearances are bang on.
For the inlets I have 1 measuring at the documented 0.008" two at 0.009" and 1 at 0.010". This to me looks pretty good, right? The worst clearance is only 2 thou out. For the type of head I have, am I right to assume that this is still well within tolerance or, is the tolerance far less on a high lift cam and less forgiving?
If this does all sound fine then why is the head so noisy? I was thinking worn guides maybe, but I would expect to be burning oil which this engine has never done. Is it also worth noting that this car does not have standard valves either, they are a couple of mm larger diameter over standard.
I just hate the fact that it sounds like a tired and battered wreck when it doesn't drive like it.
Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated.
