Valve clearances

[FERGTS246]

Hi, I recently re-set my valve clearances. They were set at about 0.10 intake, 0.15 exhaust so I adjusted them to figures in the handbook 0.15 intake, 0.25 exhaust. They are now a bit noisy, whereas they weren't before.
I read sometime ago that the tappets are a bit noisy when set to correct gaps - does anyone agree with this? What is the main problem with having clearances a bit tighter than the official spec?
Thanks Chris

[lancialulu]

Are they noisy after a 100 mile blast?

[GG]

There is noisy, and then there is slightly noisy. It should sound like a nice sewing machine - if you don't hear anything, they are too tight. If it sounds disruptive, too loose. And yes, a bit quieter after a good warmup as noted above.

[Richard Fridd]

To answer the question of too tight. Valves not seating fully. Too loose would affect valve timing slightly. Checked mine today also.

[FERGTS246]

Hi All, thanks for your responses.

I haven't consciously checked after a 100 mile blast but I'm pretty sure I would have noticed if they had quietened down. I would say 'noisy' not 'very noisy'.
I'll take for a blast and check the noise.

Chris

[FERGTS246]

I've bought a SPQR tappet adjuster to reset the tappets. As this tool allows for wear, I expect that the settings I found were probably correct and I've set them too big with just feeler gauges and therefore had not allowed for wear. Chris

[Richard Fridd]

How does it work?

[FERGTS246]

Richard, See attached pdf with instructions. Chris