Matt -
You neglect to mention what model car has the "clackey tappets". However, be
aware that the earlier cars (TC, TD, TF, etc) are somewhat prone to more
tappet noise that the more modern cars.
However, I too in my TD, had what seemed to me excessive tappet noise. This
went on for years. Regardless of how I adjusted them, it always sounded a
bit harsh. To make a long story somewhat shorter, the rockers had suffered
from years of overgrinding the faces. Thus the tappet struck the valve at an
incorrect angle (not square to the valve tip). Having discovered that new
tappets for a TD are about $75 apiece, I decided to have my old ones
rebuilt. No one locally could offer me anything better than regrinding my
old ones. Since that was the source of the problem, I turned to this forum
for advice.
A.B. Bonds suggested that I try a place in Anderson California called The
Rocker Arm Specialist. They took my old rocker assemply (rockers, shaft,
stands, etc. and did the following:
- built up and reground the shaft
- built up, ground, and hardened the tappet faces
- rebushed the rockers
- moly coated the bushes
I overnighted the assembly to them on a Friday and had the completed work
back the following Friday in time for a car meet the next day. Total cost
was $85 plus shipping and COD charges.
The car has never been quieter, I can actually properly adjust the valves,
and the car actually made it under its own power to and from GOF Central for
the first time in 7 years.
You can find the address in the SOL Monster Vendor List
(http://www.dimebank.com/monster/vendors.html)
Hope this helps!
Regards,
Lew Palmer
lew.palmer@uci.com
----------
From: mgs-owner
To: mgs
Subject: Tappets etc
Date: Thursday, January 04, 1996 2:55PM
Hi,
My tappets are noisey. I've adjusted them a few times but it doesn't really
make any difference bar for a few days. Its is a regular and happy kind of
noise but I would really feel better to fix it. Is it feasible to replace
just the tappets, or should I also replace pushrods and rocker arm assembly
etc.
Advice appreciated
Matt
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