adjustable tappets
 

How do you go about installing adjustable tappets on a model a engine.

Thanks

Bill

Re: adjustable tappets
 

Pull the head, valves and remove the old ones. Install the new ones, adjust.
Paul in CT

Re: adjustable tappets
 

And Cam.

Re: adjustable tappets
 

I would purchase the tappets with the locking nut years ago I installed a set that only had an interference stud in the lifter with no locking nut.In time the studs started to loosen and there was no way to lock them in place,I had to replace them,I don't know if they still sell them today.

Re: adjustable tappets
 

I first remove the valve springs to take the pressure off of the tappets . Remove the oil pan for access . remove the cam shaft and original tappets . Install the adjustable tappets and camshaft and adjust for proper clearance . Replace the parts that were removed for access and you should be there .

Re: adjustable tappets
 

Remove the oil pan , camshaft and original tappets . Install the adjustable tappets and camshaft . adjust the new tappets for proper clearance . Replace the parts that had to be removed for clearance and that should have it .

Re: adjustable tappets
 

The same way you would install non adjustable tappets

Re: adjustable tappets
 

After removing the valve springs , I use wooden clothes pins to hold the tappets up for clearance to remove the camshaft .

Re: adjustable tappets
 

Wooden clothes pins ?

Purdy, you're showing your age ! :D

Re: adjustable tappets
 

Yeah Pat , I'm getting purdy old . I turn 74 in a couple of months. The spring style wooden pins are still readily available and work good for holding lifters in place .

Re: adjustable tappets
 

Bet most people that still dry their clothes on a line outside use them, that's what I have been using for a lot of years and I am not 65 yet. :)


Back to holding the lifters in place. Good heavy wheel bearing grease works too and is what I use.

Re: adjustable tappets
 

Nothing wrong with drying cloths on the line . I mostly still use the cloths dryer . I bought the wooden cloths pins at Walmart for holding up the tappets . I've done this many times .

Re: adjustable tappets
 

They work great and they feel better than the 'new' plastic ones.

We still use a clothes line. They're banned where we are in the winter, but, we cheat. They smell nice waving in the breeze.

Oh, you're only got me by a couple years.

Re: adjustable tappets
 

Ok, I will bite. Why are clothes lines banned in the winter there?

Re: adjustable tappets
 

You must have a lot of clothespins now.

Re: adjustable tappets
 

Yeah , I've got a right smart of em .

Re: adjustable tappets
 

During the summer we're in the country and can do about whatever we what.
In the winter we're in an area where 'they' don't like the look of clothes lines so 'they' prohibit them.

Re: adjustable tappets
 

The FORD BARN is a great place for people seeking help, not everyone has experience working on "A's". Don't we encourage any question and try to help a hobbyist trying to learn and enjoy their Model A? Sometimes no reply may be better then trying to be funny, especially when you may be a bit overwhelmed with a repair project.

Sorry 007 I have had a long day, wouldn't it be kinder to "Bond" and actually try to help....? Perhaps that was your best attempt

Re: adjustable tappets
 

Bill,

It's a pretty straight forward job but does require the engine to be torn down to the basics and not a job I would want to do while the engine is in the car.

First the head, oil pan, valve cover, front and side timing gear covers will need to be removed.

Remove the valve springs, guides and valves. You don't necessarily need to remove the guides and valves but its a good opportunity to clean them up if they would benefit from it.
Turn the engine upside down or use Tom's trick using the wooden clothes pins to hold the lifters up so the cam shaft can be removed.

Then reverse the process starting with installing the new adjustable lifters.

My thought is if you are going this far one really should consider checking the clearances on the rods and mains and replace the rope seals in the oil pan and front timing cover.

Check the valve seats and lap them in as needed.

Dave