Valve Adjustment

[hartmandm]

On a side note, where do I find a .012" and .014" wire gauge? I understand the recommendation and the value of such a tool, but I can't find any wire gauge that's smaller than .020]

I bought my .012 and .014 pin gages at MSC Industrial Direct (in 2015) - mscdirect.com



Mike

 

[Alpine 1789]

You probably shouldn't adjust the Alpine's shaft style rockers while the engine is running...

Someone suggested that to me years ago and I think I still have the chewed up feeler gauge to prove that it isn't a good idea.

 

[Thor 1211]

Thanks, Mike.

I used your suggestions and the Workshop manual, with one modification: I used a 34mm socket in place of the 1 5/16. Not perfect, but good enough.

The valves are much quieter now, but I still have one that is making more noise than I would like. I used a hose stethoscope to locate it at the front of the engine, either cylinder 1 or 2. I rechecked the adjustment on these valves and no improvement.

John

My noisy valve on #1 was the pushrod for the very first valve hitting the head. I relieved the opening with a dremmel. The noise went away.

 

[owenrobertson]

I bought my .012 and .014 pin gages at MSC Industrial Direct (in 2015) - mscdirect.com

View attachment 19495

Mike

Mike, that's awesome, thanks! When I googled "wire feeler gauge", I got nothing smaller than .020". After reading your post, I googled ".012 pin gage", and that took me right to MSC, just like you said.

Here's the .012"

https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn...MI_dL-rP_-6AIVjJ-zCh3ZFABmEAQYASABEgLcLvD_BwE

And here's the .014"

https://www.mscdirect.com/browse/tn...MIgeD75ID_6AIVDFYMCh3rCw7lEAQYASABEgIfFPD_BwE

 

[Tim R]

Don't forget that there are over 50m videos on The Sunbeam Alpine Channel on YouTube that cover all manner of routine Alpine jobs like this. Tim R

 

[nsbluenose]

Can you explain 'Plus Tolerance' and 'Minus Tolerance'? Which would be ordered?

 

[Mike O'D]

When you use a pin gauge to check a hole diameter, you can't put a .012" pin in a .012" hole for example. You use a minus tolerance pin so it will actually fit. As far as setting valve clearance, the difference is really small and will probably not make a difference.

 

[65beam]

When you use a pin gauge to check a hole diameter, you can't put a .012" pin in a .012" hole for example. You use a minus tolerance pin so it will actually fit. As far as setting valve clearance, the difference is really small and will probably not make a difference.

The use of an item like this versus a flat blade was a suggestion from Tiger Tom many years (decades ) ago and I took his advice since he's been a long time guru of the Sunbeam world. I agree that the difference would be very little. Adjustment doesn't last forever unless the cars set.

 

[owenrobertson]

When you use a pin gauge to check a hole diameter, you can't put a .012" pin in a .012" hole for example. You use a minus tolerance pin so it will actually fit. As far as setting valve clearance, the difference is really small and will probably not make a difference.

Well crap, I didn't even notice that. I provided links to the minus pins above, but above that, Mike suggested the plus pins. I suppose the plus pins would be the safer option. I haven't ordered the pins yet, I want to see how long my .010" and .012" flat feeler gauge lash adjustment holds out.

Here's the link to the .012" plus pin gage:

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/78381985

And here's the .014" plus pin gage:

https://www.mscdirect.com/product/details/78382009

 

[owenrobertson]

When you use a pin gauge to check a hole diameter, you can't put a .012" pin in a .012" hole for example. You use a minus tolerance pin so it will actually fit. As far as setting valve clearance, the difference is really small and will probably not make a difference.

Oh yeah, you're right about the difference being very small. I just noticed those links just above show a tolerance of 0.0002". Two ten thousanths of an inch isn't a whole lot, especially when you consider how we'll be using this tool. Either the minus pin, or the plus pin should work just fine.

 

[hartmandm]

I bet I spent zero thought on whether to get plus or minus pin gages when I ordered those.

Mike