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[Graham43]

Just stripped the Electra X engine to discover that the exhaust tappet is very tight in its guide. This is a 'new' engine bought seperately for a project and it has minimal miles on it.  Is this a common problem?  Has anyone experience of this problem? Is the tappet shaft known to bend?  I presume the solution is to remove the guide and test the straightness of the tappet shaft.  Do I really need a special tool to remove the guide.  Your thoughts please.

[Norm]

 Hi Graham,


          Can't recall hearing about an Electra bending the tappet, always a first, I have heard of them breaking the exhaust tappet, probably caused by using the valve lifter. One concerning thing with the tappets on the Electra is that they are only 6mm in diameter compared to the well proven Bullet at 9mm diameter. This must also contribute to them breaking and possibly bending. As for removing the tappet you need an Electra cam spindle removing tool, not Bullet, you have to heat the case around the spindle before removing and refitting. This is so you can get the tappet out. Then if you decide you want to replace the tappet guide you will also need a guide removing and inserting tool as well and the same heating of the case s applies

[Graham43]

Thanks Norm


I assume this means dismantling the engine, it can't be done in situ - ah well.  I bought the engine a couple of years ago from Watsonian, its only because it is so far away that prevents me taking it back after, on and off, spending hours trying to get it going before I discovered the tight cam guide. 

[Norm]

 Graham,


  Doesn't require an engine strip, just removing the timing cover, but this is where you require the correct tools to remove the cam pinion. heating the case around the  timing pinion and with the tool you can extract it. Once out you can remove the tappet, fit the new tappet and see how it feels.The tappet guide removal requires heating around the tappet area and with the tappet guide removal tool you extract the guide. Freeze the guide, heat the case and refit the new guide, but as I said earlier you may not need a new guide.With the tappet installed you then have to refit the cam pinion. Heat the case around the pinion hole and tap the pinion back in. It should fit easily if the case is hot enough

[Alan R]

Hi guys---------- don't know if this will be of any additional help at all but a few pages back on this forum I seem to remember someone had a broken cam follower in an Electra. Might be worth a read-up ??? Cheers, m'dears. 

[Graham43]

Thanks AlanR


Yes I read this post and I thought it might answer my problem but both spindles are OK.  Thanks for your suggestion. 

[rog]

Graham, the head broke off the exhaust tappet of my Electra and I decided to replace the guide as well. You have to remove the head and barrel to allow the tappet guide removal tool to be used. You also need to remove the cam spindle to fit a new tappet. I did the job in my garage during January and was only able to apply heat with a hot air gun but I still managed it ok. I also found that the guide removal tool helped align the new guide when installing it. I no longer have an Electra so can let you have both special tools if you want them. My e-mail address is [url=mailto:roger-stanton@sky.com t=_self]roger-stanton@sky.com[/url].   


 

[Graham43]

I would like to put on record how great people have been, 'rog' for offering the special tools needed and advice on how to the job and  Watsonian-Squire for being so helpful.  Thank you guys.