Hitchcocks Forum

So, the 350cc is running well now and is just a sticky throttle rotor away from an MOT. However, the valves are really noisy. I know they often are but these are really loud, certainly compared to my 500cc. At TDC the push rods have no up and down movement and they spin freely. What would be the next thing to check? Or will it clear with a good run do you think?
Cheers.

Perhaps the rocker blocks are very worn? In theory, the slack would be taken up with the correct adjustment and the worn clearance would remain at the bottom below the rocker shaft, but that is only theory so worth a check. Another thing is that TDC setting at cold results in more clearance when running, which is normal. Some additional points: The TDC clearance method sets the gap when the cams are just starting on the quietening ramps whereas the maximum clearance is when the cam is exactly at 180 degree to max lift. By turning the cold engine slowly whilst turning the push rods, this slacker position at 180 degrees from max lift can be felt and the tappets adjusted at this position noting that as the engine warms up the clearance will increase from this near zero setting. If you set them like this though check that you do indeed have clearance when warm.

is the 350 indian ? i set my 350 indian pushrods to the english recomendation of exhaust spinning with no up or down lift ,inlet just binding obviously set when both valves are closed and the engine is cold,just another thought maybe your valve caps are worn if you have them ? just my 2 penorth paul