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TR2/3/3A Setting valve clearance on tr3

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Scotsman

Scotsman

Jedi Hopeful
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Two questions
1
Should this be done while the engine is hot or cold? Does it matter?
Bentleys shop manual says it should be done while engine is cold, BUT a local british specialty shop mechanic told me "this makes no sence since these angines dont run cold" and he always does it with the engine hot.
Again, does it matter?

2
How can u tell if the engine has aluminum rocker pedestals Bentleys says that for later models with al rockers the inlet and exhaust clearances are the same. .010". This is not the case for earlier models but who knows what is in there if there has been a rebuild
 
Everything I've been told or read says, on TR3, that the engine should be cold.
 
Lexte3, i added a second question. Your thoughts? Thanks for your thoughts on Q 1
 
Hit one of the pedestals with a little scotchbrite and see if it polishes grey or white. Grey is steel and white aluminum.
 
I think the point is that the spec is for a cold engine. I suppose they could have given a spec for a hot engine but that would have been rather inconvenient.

I've only known .010" -- didn't realize there was something else for other engines.

FWIW - I usually set the exhaust valves a bit loose, say .012", just to have some leeway built in.
 
Geo,
interesting you say that you give the exhaust a little more slack at .012 as this is what they say for the steel rockers. I am guessing from what you say, that the tolerances in these old engines are such that .010 or .012 doesn't make too much difference for the exhaust valve.
Correct me if I am wrong
 
Here's what Macy's Garage has to say on this (I find their advice to be very reliable): "For our 4 cylinder Triumphs, the valves are adjusted 'cold.' Anyone who has ever adjusted valves wthich need to be adjusted 'hot' will know what a blessing this is! Clearance is .010" (ten one thousandthas of an inch) for both the intake and exhaust valves on most of our Triumpsh, but for all cars and various camshafts it's not uncommon to have a different clearance specified for intakes vs exhausts. For example, early TR2's equipped with iron rocker pedestals specified clearances of .010" for the intake valves and .012" for the exhausts."

So, for your TR3, go with "cold" and .010" for intake and exhaust valves (assuming you have the stock camshaft).
 
LexTR3 said:
...

So, for your TR3, go with "cold" and .010" for intake and exhaust valves (assuming you have the stock camshaft).
Click to expand...

I sent my cam out to Ken at British Frame & Engine for a re-grind, and the valve clearance specs they gave me are 0.016" (maybe 0.018", I'd have to look at my cam spec sheet).

So, make sure you know what you've got in the engine.
 
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