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General => General discussion => Topic started by: SoundillusioN on 12 August 2012, 03:45
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Can I pick your brain for a moment?
As you may know I have owned my current MK1 for 8 years. When I bought it 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. :cry: 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. :rolleyes:
INLET EXHAUST
0.008" 0.016"
Believe it or not, with a 132k on the clock the exhaust clearances are bang on. :shocked:
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.
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DX - heads well solid lifter vw 8 valve's tend to be noisey and will run like that for ever but they don't have to be.
your tappet clearances look ok normaly .002" makes no differance at all but, check the exhaust they are likely to be further out.
tuned solid lifter engines allways tend to sound tappety till they've warmend up , as often run larger clearnaces that tighten up as it gets hot but the clearnances you've posted look very sensible and should be quiet, as for the cam high lift cams do exagerate the problem it's not much to do with the lift but the ramp angels, performance cams tend to lift the valve off the seat much faster than stock items so cam hits the tappet harder and faster.
on 132 k its proably worh pulling the cam and tappets and haveing a good look ove them for wear espectaly on tappet's just to make sure there nice and flat
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Thanks.
DX - heads well solid lifter vw 8 valve's tend to be noisey and will run like that for ever but they don't have to be.
My last one did but I really don't want that with this one if I can help it
your tappet clearances look ok normaly .002" makes no differance at all but, check the exhaust they are likely to be further out.
I thought this and I have checked both, can't get any gauge in the exhaust clearances higher than what it should be.... :undecided:
tuned solid lifter engines allways tend to sound tappety till they've warmend up , as often run larger clearnaces that tighten up as it gets hot but the clearnances you've posted look very sensible and should be quiet, as for the cam high lift cams do exagerate the problem it's not much to do with the lift but the ramp angels, performance cams tend to lift the valve off the seat much faster than stock items so cam hits the tappet harder and faster.
Considering the above it's annoying that my head gets noisier as the oil get hotter/thinner
on 132 k its proably worh pulling the cam and tappets and haveing a good look ove them for wear espectaly on tappet's just to make sure there nice and flat
Damn, I was hoping this was going to be a lot simpler, so simple in fact I thought I would at worst be getting new shims made up. Is there a chance the cam is moving about?
Also think the bottom end is getting the same way! :rolleyes: