Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-15-2020, 12:04 AM   #1
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
Default Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

I've created a printable PDF with a diagram to assist with precise adjustment of valve clearances. This diagram is based on one created by FordBarn user Bob Johnson and shown in his video on valve adjusting.

As described on fordgarage.com, the tappet bolt spec is 24 threads per inch. This means that if you were to rotate the bolt 360° 24 times, it would change the clearance by 1".

24*360 = 8640° per 1-inch change.
Therefore to change the clearance .001", or 1/1000 inches, you need to rotate the bolt 8640/1000 = 8.64°.

The attached diagram shows lines marked on an arc in successive increments of 8.64°, each representing .001" difference in clearance from the next line.

To adjust valve tappets using this diagram, you'll need to print it out and attach it to something rigid, like cardstock or cardboard. Cut a hole to center the diagram on the tappet. Measure your clearances as described on fordgarage.com above, and then, with the diagram in place, hold the tappet with one wrench while moving the adjusting wrench through the appropriate number of lines to get the clearance you want. See Bob's video for a demonstration.

The PDF image is quite large in order to maximize the accuracy of the angles. You'll probably need to experiment with scaling it down to 80% or 60% to make it usable with your particular wrenches.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf tappet_guide.pdf (33.1 KB, 663 views)
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2020, 12:34 AM   #2
PalAl
Senior Member
 
PalAl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Orangeville Illinois
Posts: 461
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

This is very interesting, I have not seen this method before but will watch the video, print the image and a month or so down the road experiment. Thanks for sharing and taking the time to make the PDF.
PalAl is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 11-15-2020, 12:35 AM   #3
J Franklin
Senior Member
 
J Franklin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,947
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Very interesting but I bet most would check with a feeler.
J Franklin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2020, 12:49 AM   #4
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Quote:
Originally Posted by J Franklin View Post
Very interesting but I bet most would check with a feeler.
Not meant to obviate confirming with a feeler, merely reduce the risk that you overshoot or undershoot your target clearance.
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2020, 03:24 AM   #5
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,472
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

I do similar. If one turn is 1/24th of an inch (0.042"), then one face on the hexagonal adjuster is 1/6th of that (0.007"). It doesn't take long to learn how much to move the spanner to get 1 or 2 thou movement. I always check with feelers after every adjustment.
(If the motor is out of the car, it doesn't take long but with it in the car, it is a bear with a RHD car.)
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2020, 01:58 PM   #6
Jack Shaft
BANNED
 
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,196
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Some grind the lifter bores down..not a wise move.
Jack Shaft is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2020, 12:10 PM   #7
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
I do similar. If one turn is 1/24th of an inch (0.042"), then one face on the hexagonal adjuster is 1/6th of that (0.007"). It doesn't take long to learn how much to move the spanner to get 1 or 2 thou
movement. I always check with feelers after every adjustment.
Ditto
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2020, 12:35 PM   #8
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Don't worry, if you decide you don't need to use this diagram, I will not be offended.
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2020, 02:34 PM   #9
David R.
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 430
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

I always just did it with two fielders gauges. One too big and one too small and adjust to go and not go. This one makes my head hurt.
David R. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2020, 03:46 PM   #10
Synchro909
Senior Member
 
Synchro909's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 7,472
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Quote:
Originally Posted by alexiskai View Post
Don't worry, if you decide you don't need to use this diagram, I will not be offended.
The two methods are very similar. They both use the pitch of the thread to work out how far to turn the adjustment. IMO, you have just taken it one step further with your diagram while I rely more on "feel".
__________________
I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.
Synchro909 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2020, 04:04 PM   #11
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Synchro909 View Post
The two methods are very similar. They both use the pitch of the thread to work out how far to turn the adjustment. IMO, you have just taken it one step further with your diagram while I rely more on "feel".
No worries. As I've learned, there will be at least five comments on any post:
  1. This thing is not important
  2. This thing is important and you're not going far enough
  3. I disagree: [says the same thing using different words]
  4. I need help with an unrelated problem
  5. I am reopening this thread after nine years to say that I agree with post #3
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2020, 04:29 PM   #12
J Franklin
Senior Member
 
J Franklin's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oregon
Posts: 5,947
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Quote:
Originally Posted by alexiskai View Post
No worries. As I've learned, there will be at least five comments on any post:
  1. This thing is not important
  2. This thing is important and you're not going far enough
  3. I disagree: [says the same thing using different words]
  4. I need help with an unrelated problem
  5. I am reopening this thread after nine years to say that I agree with post #3
Does any good idea ever not get these same comments? If you would screen print this gauge on some tin, I'll bet you could sell them to all the Ford suppliers and make a mint!
J Franklin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2020, 04:38 PM   #13
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Quote:
Originally Posted by J Franklin View Post
Does any good idea ever not get these same comments? If you would screen print this gauge on some tin, I'll bet you could sell them to all the Ford suppliers and make a mint!
Would have to share the profits with Bob Johnson, it was his idea. I asked him where I could get one and he said he just made his, so then I had to make mine. I did it using an amazing website, blocklayer.com. Blew my mind that this sort of thing is free of charge for anyone to use. Check out their customizable degree wheel and timing tape.
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 02:26 AM   #14
Manuel
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: ACT Australia
Posts: 506
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Hi alexiskai, would love to watch the video, but it appears the link may be broken?
Manuel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 10:07 AM   #15
JRShaw
Senior Member
 
JRShaw's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Fairport, NY
Posts: 133
Smile Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

I just noticed that the video link was non-responsive. Can we have another link -or- connection? Thank You!!
JRShaw is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2020, 01:13 PM   #16
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Manuel View Post
Hi alexiskai, would love to watch the video, but it appears the link may be broken?
Quote:
Originally Posted by JRShaw View Post
I just noticed that the video link was non-responsive. Can we have another link -or- connection? Thank You!!
Hi guys, it's a direct download link to Bob's video file, which is not a streaming video, it's an old-fashioned WMV (Windows Media) video. Here's the URL:
http://www.modelahouse.com/movies/valves.wmv

You can also go to the root page and click on "Valve adjusting": http://www.modelahouse.com/movies/index.html

Once the file downloads, most folks should have a media player on their Mac/PC that'll run it.

Last edited by alexiskai; 11-19-2020 at 02:12 PM.
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2020, 08:35 PM   #17
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Following up, this is the setup that worked for me when adjusting my valve lash. I had to cut down the diagram a bit because of the size I printed it at; otherwise you can't get at the #1 and #8 valves. I spray-glued it to cardboard and then taped a thin wrench to the back. That wrench holds the tappet while the 1/2" wrench does the adjusting.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_3127.jpg (29.7 KB, 87 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_3128.jpg (42.8 KB, 61 views)
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2020, 10:48 PM   #18
Big hammer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,114
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Thank you and Bob Johnson for sharing ! Soooo how did she run after adjusting the lash?
__________________
Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap
get a bigger hammer tap done
Big hammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2020, 10:57 PM   #19
CA Victoria
Senior Member
 
CA Victoria's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,109
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Doing valves this weekend, thanks for sharing!
__________________
Tim
Downtown, Ca
CA Victoria is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-25-2020, 11:22 PM   #20
redmodelt
Senior Member
 
redmodelt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 6,339
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

I learned this way of doing it from a post on the Model T Ford Club of America years ago, doing by thread count and degrees. Works very well. I also check with the feeler gauge to make sure it is good. Thanks for posting this. Great idea on the degrees gauge.
__________________
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
redmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-27-2020, 05:08 AM   #21
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Quote:
Originally Posted by Big hammer View Post
Thank you and Bob Johnson for sharing ! Soooo how did she run after adjusting the lash?
I won't know for a while since I'm in the middle of a major overhaul (new valves, new head, new carb).

This was my first ever time installing and adjusting valves. Before installing the new valves, I backed off all 8 adjustable tappets as far as they would go. Then I put in new valves, springs, retainers, and keepers (those keepers are a tremendous pain). Then I took my initial clearance measurements, which ranged from .028 to .068.

Using this adjustment guide, I was able to adjust 3 of the 8 valves to the exact desired clearance on the first pass. The remaining 5 were all +/- .001" and I got all five to the desired clearance on the second pass.
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-27-2020, 09:39 AM   #22
rocket1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Midland Park,N.J.
Posts: 1,108
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

a little grease on the keepers will hold them in place.
rocket1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 12-27-2020, 10:13 AM   #23
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Quote:
Originally Posted by rocket1 View Post
a little grease on the keepers will hold them in place.
I used axle grease. It was mostly a pain because I was using this valve spring tool. Required a buddy to hold the spring up for me and even then I had very little room to get the keepers onto the valve stem – particularly for the 1/2/7/8 valves in the corner.
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-27-2020, 12:34 PM   #24
Ruth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Glide, Oregon
Posts: 1,334
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Quote:
Originally Posted by David R. View Post
I always just did it with two fielders gauges. One too big and one too small and adjust to go and not go.
FYI, they actually make a go/no go feeler gauge for the exact same purpose https://www.amazon.com/Lisle-68150-G...31&sr=8-8&th=1

Thanks for the tip and thinking outside the box alexishai.
__________________
Ruth
"Sometimes you really DO need to read the whole thread"

Last edited by Ruth; 12-27-2020 at 12:55 PM.
Ruth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-03-2021, 11:06 AM   #25
TZBrown
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Fenton Michigan
Posts: 43
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Thanks for the link to the printable timing tapes
TZBrown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2022, 07:42 AM   #26
old31
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,088
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Sooooo, what is the difference between a go/no go and a regular feeler gauge. They both look the same to me.

i just cant get a "feel" for this.
old31 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-20-2022, 10:13 AM   #27
katy
Senior Member
 
katy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Red Deer, Alberta
Posts: 5,011
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

A regular feeler gauge is all one thickness, a go-no/go gauge has a small potion up the end of the gauge which is .001" or .002" thinner that the rest of the gauge.

https://www.wonkeedonkeetools.co.uk/...o-feeler-gauge
__________________
If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!.
Got my education out behind the barn!

Last edited by katy; 04-20-2022 at 10:14 AM. Reason: Corrected typo
katy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2023, 01:47 PM   #28
David in San Antonio
Senior Member
 
David in San Antonio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: San Antonio Texas
Posts: 216
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Newbie here - Okay, so the Go-No Go feeler has a smaller gauge section near the tip. How does this help?
__________________
David in San Antonio
1930 ('31?) Deluxe "Wretched Roadster"
Restored 1957
Alamo A’s Club
David in San Antonio is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2023, 02:26 PM   #29
alexiskai
Senior Member
 
alexiskai's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Mebane NC
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Quote:
Originally Posted by David in San Antonio View Post
Newbie here - Okay, so the Go-No Go feeler has a smaller gauge section near the tip. How does this help?
A go/no-go gauge is a feeler gauge with a portion at the tip which is thinner in both dimensions – less wide but also less thick. When inserted into the gap you want to measure, the gauge should stop right at the transition between the thinner and thicker sections, which is visible to you as the point where it gets wider.

If the gauge stops there, you know that the gap distance is larger than the thin part but smaller than the thick part. If it goes all the way in, you know the gap is larger than the thick part, and if it doesn't go in at all, you know the gap is smaller than the thin part.

The idea is that most clearances have a certain tolerance, e.g., .013-.015". A go/no-go gauge lets you quickly confirm that the clearance is somewhere within the tolerance without taking time to unnecessarily measure the clearance precisely.
alexiskai is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-18-2023, 10:50 PM   #30
JayJay
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 1,044
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

After you have done it a few times you will learn to recognize by the amount of slop or resistance on the feeler gauge how close you are. Frankly, the Model A is pretty tolerant to minor (say +/- 0.001") variations from "spec", in fact, depending upon the wear in the camshaft or position of the crank there may be that much slop between where you measure and true minor diameter (where the lifter is completely down). I would not obsess about it.

My $0.02 and worth at least that.
__________________
JayJay
San Francisco Bay Area

------------------------
1930 Murray Town Sedan
1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan
JayJay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-19-2023, 12:03 PM   #31
David in San Antonio
Senior Member
 
David in San Antonio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2022
Location: San Antonio Texas
Posts: 216
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Thank you both.
Someone said that having a Model A provides the perfect excuse to buy tools. Not that I need an excuse, but it makes choosing easier.
__________________
David in San Antonio
1930 ('31?) Deluxe "Wretched Roadster"
Restored 1957
Alamo A’s Club
David in San Antonio is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-24-2023, 11:23 AM   #32
petew
Senior Member
 
petew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Mebane, NC
Posts: 178
Default Re: Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

Looks good , think I will shrink it down print it and then laminate it .
petew is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:16 PM.