Valve Clearances
 

I am doing a complete valve job on my standard 30 Model A engine. The Ford Service bulletins pg. 338 give thew clearances as intake.010 and the exhaust .013 while the Model A Mechanics Handbook Vol. 2 on pg. 2-21 gives intake: .013 and exhaust: .015 What are correct and I would appreciate your wisdom and comments. Thank you. Grant

Re: Valve Clearances
 

For several years I have gone with .013 on intake and exhaust. Others may have different opinion on this. .015 on exhaust would be on the safe side.

Re: Valve Clearances
 

I use mostly original style stainless steel valves from Snyders. I have set both intake and exhaust valves on all of my overhauls at .016 . This has caused no problems for me and Snyders use to recommend this setting. I run my Winfield super street 3/4 race cams with this same setting. original model B cams need more clearance on the exhaust valves. Ford recommended .022 on the model B exhaust valves. I read that he said with a little noise it will keep its poise.

Re: Valve Clearances
 

Humble opinion:

With an original Model A head, original cam, original tappets, & original Ford valves:

Clearances set at 0.011" IN & 0.013" EX will be noiseless & successfully function with no problems.

Re: Valve Clearances
 

I recommend .012" on intakes and .014" on exhausts. Loser can make noise and lose a minute amount of power. Performance grinds vary a lot, go by the grinder's recommendation. Most Winfield cams were set at .010" straight across, I set them at .010" & .012".

Re: Valve Clearances
 

Mine recommended .016 . I'm running two of them that way with good performance.

Re: Valve Clearances
 

The engine in the little roadster was done in 1961. When I bought it in '76 they were .015-.016" and haven't moved [ original non-adjustable][ just checked them again]. This is about where they start to make a little noise.