More work on the Plymouth and yep I have questions.

Okay I have decided to adjust my valves on my Plymouth. After getting it reassembled this weekend I took it for a long shake down of almost 300 miles. Now just before the head gasket went I was noticing a small knock on the valve side of the motor up by the intake and exhaust manifolds. This noise only shows up when the engine is warm and at the first second of initial acceleration it raps out a couple of quick pings. No noise when the engine is cold and at steady RPMs at idle or cruising or when put under load such as applying more gas while climbing a hill.

I used a stethescope and listened. I was glad it wasn't from the lower portion of the motor! Cool listening to the inside of a motor.

With the noise pinpointed to that area. I researched the P-15 D24 website and checked out their info on adjusting valves.

http://www.merc583.addr.com/mopar/framesets/techtipframeset.html

I still have a couple of questions. I realize I remove a portion of the inner fender in order to access the valve covers on the side of the motor.

can I use just a regular set of feeler gauges? They mention that I need a set of valve gaskets. Are they talking valve guides or valve cover gaskets? Can or should I install a set of adjustable tappets? If so where is a good location to purchase these? Any signs of wear or worry to look for on the cam? Any types of lubricant to be added to the Cam and tappets when adjustment is complete?

Thanks gobs for any help in advance.

Justin

 

It's a pretty simple job, but it's a pain in the ass with the engine running. I used regular feeler gauges. The gaskets are for the valve covers. You won't be able to check out the cam from there. If I remember correctly, you can see the cam if you drop the oil pan and look up into the block. Good luck. My 54 used to make a lot of valve noise. It took me a couple tries at adjusting the valves, but it purrs quietly now.

 

you need valve cover gaskets. the lifters are already adjustable, you can use regular feeler gauges. good luck getting to everything though. its pretty much impossible to adjust the valves on the 41 without taking off the manifolds.

 

What they said, though I don't know why you'd ever do it with the engine running.
Most likely the gaskets you have are incredibly dry and will rip when you pull the covers off so it's a good idea to have the new ones handy.

Chris

 

Yeah I don't think this is possible to do with the motor running. I know you need to get it up to heat but I wouldn't want to chase around the tappets while it is running. I guess I meant to ask if there are hydraulic lifters available for these motors. Sorry I didn't make my question clear but now that I think about it I would probably have to swap out the cam huh? Are the new valve cover gaskets an easy find?


thanks all

Justin

 

My Motor's manual says to adjust 'em with the motor running, but I didn't have much success that way. I thought it was just because I'm a hack mechanic.

 

There's no oil passages for hydraulic lifters so that rules those out.

The gaskets should be simple to find at a good parts store. Expect to have to order them, which in my 'hood means same day if you place the order in the a.m.

Chris

 

Actually, adjusting your tappets while the motor is running isn't as hard as it sounds. And it's nice because then you can hear it when it's adjusted right.

Just get a good grip on your ratchet and slam it right down onto the bolt. It feels weird and is hard to keep the ratchet on there at first, but you get used to it.

~Melissa

 

i would like to see someone adjust the valves on a flathead six with the engine running. it would be pretty entertaining i think.

 

easy for you Mel you got overhead valves!. I wasn't able to get the valve cover gaskets through Napa so I ordered them through Andy Bernbaum. they have a set for 12 bucks.

 

I ordered some from Bernbaum too (haven't used them yet, sigh...) but they're just cork. If I knew where to get a sheet of cork I could make my own for the price of the cork and 2 minutes with an x-acto knife.

 

Well you can get gasket making cork at any Fleet Farm. Shit is that all it is? Damn I should cancel my order!!!!!!

 

Yep, heheh...if I'm remembering right it doesn't even have any holes punched in it since the valve covers bolt on only in the center.

 

Man I'm surprised Napa can't get them. Mine came in the full engine set from Fel-Pro and are rubber. But yeah, they're just a rectangle and they do come with new rubber grommets for under the bolts.

Chris