Posted by David K on June 04, 2001 at 01:01:55:
In Reply to: Need help with 97 Savage LS650 posted by Bob Heselberg on June 03, 2001 at 18:00:24:
Setting the valve clearance to specs. does not result in a clatter noise. I suspect that your method of setting the clearance, was inaccurate for some reason. I find, setting the valve clearance is very difficult to say the least, if the engine is not on a work bench. In the cycle there are too many things in the way to make the job easy, however I have set the proper clearance on mine, but it took along time doing it.
I used special shaped & bent feeler (thickness gauge) stock. I also checked the results by measureing the amount of turn on the anjusting screws. First I sprayed brake cleaner on the cam and adjusters to remore any oil. With the parts dry I carefully adjusted the tappet screw until I felt a "cick contact" indicating "0" clearance. Then I backed-up the screw, the right amount to produce the clearance (I calculated this by determining the pitch of the screw with a screw pitch gauge). After the screw was backed-up the determined amount I locked the lock nut. This tightening of the lock nut is tricky, because it tends to tighten up on the clearance.
With the screws set to the desired position by using the thread pitch method, I varified the seting with the special thickness feelers. I also varified that the valves compared to each other, by rattling them and listening to the click and feel. Remember the parts were bone dry from the brake cleaner spray. I finished by squirting some High pressure oil on the dry parts.
Even though the clearance does rattle (very slightly when dry, with the oil, while running I do not hear clatter.
TWO OTHER POINTS: The clearance is a maximum of .005in and can be as little as .003in Also it is extremely important that the camshaft is in the correct position while making the adjustment (Top Dead Center of the comression stroke only, not the other Top Dead Center).
I would not trust the average shop to set the LS 650 valve clearance!