Practically Classics Forum

Hi peeps, I've just head the cylinder head reconditioned. When I have refitted it the tappet gaps are none existant and there's not enough adjustment to create a gap. I've done numerous head gaskets and never encountered this prob before ! Any ideas ? Perhaps my numpty quotient has gone up without me noticing !

That wont do.. Are the valves the originals ?

How often has the head been refaced and how much has been taken off? Pound to a Penny that amount is directly proportional to the reduction in the clearances. You can use thicker rocker shaft pedestal shims or grind the appropriate amount from the valve stems, the former is more like the job, the latter costs nothing.

Aha, Shims ! All new valves , springs etc.,I think the answer is ....... shims. thank you fellas. I looked at the exploded diagram in the leyland manual which doesn't show any shims for the rocker pedestals,however after your replies I had a look in the Moss catalogue which shows rocker pedestal shims for the centre two. As I carefully saved all the fixings, labelled in Ovaltine tubs (!) I can only think that either there weren't any shims fitted or that they were firmly stuck to the head when I removed it and I didn't notice 'em !

Update ! Shims fitted,tappets adjusted,now purring !

Excellent result, well done.