Do tappets affect cold starts?

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Genus Coffea

Member
Posts
87
Location
Berkshire
Just did the tappets, clearances were way too tight, motor now cold starting in 10-15 seconds and is much quieter, but sometimes when driving I now sometimes hear a sound like a pin dropping, no rhythm to the sound and it comes and goes irrespective of road/engine speed. Ideas?
 
I guess ig clearances were none existant then compression would be lost if valve wasnt fully closed. If there was a gap on each tappet then I wouldnt expect it to affect starting as each valve would be closed during compression.
Is 10 - 15 seconds including heat time or cranking? If its cranking time I would check the heater plugs. Remove them one at time and connect them straight across a battery (hold the body of the plug onto the neg using pair of grips / pliers and run wire from the positive of the battery to the terminal on the heater plug).
When connected, you should see the tip of the heater plug glow cherry red after a few seconds.
Rich
 
I'd first do as above, if that doesn't help, I'd check the tappet springs and collets/top hats, then I'd probably take the head off and have a look at the bores, with a view to changing piston rings to get some compression back which helps cold starting no end.
 
I guess ig clearances were none existant then compression would be lost if valve wasnt fully closed. If there was a gap on each tappet then I wouldnt expect it to affect starting as each valve would be closed during compression.
Is 10 - 15 seconds including heat time or cranking? If its cranking time I would check the heater plugs. Remove them one at time and connect them straight across a battery (hold the body of the plug onto the neg using pair of grips / pliers and run wire from the positive of the battery to the terminal on the heater plug).
When connected, you should see the tip of the heater plug glow cherry red after a few seconds.
Rich
Just heat time and one crank. Replaced the plugs a while before I did the tappets.
 
Just did the tappets, clearances were way too tight, motor now cold starting in 10-15 seconds and is much quieter, but sometimes when driving I now sometimes hear a sound like a pin dropping, no rhythm to the sound and it comes and goes irrespective of road/engine speed. Ideas?
the fact you had a gap shouldnt effect a cold start unless there was no gap ,too large a gap retards cam timing and lowers compression as valve isnt fully opening
 
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