Capri Technical Forum:

Hi There

I have a 2.8i and it makes a light ticking that changes with engine speed. Numerous people told me to adjust the 'tappets' to sort this out. I took this to mean check and set the valves clearences (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I'm setting them this afternoon, as per haynes, but am a bit concerned that my car has been converted, by Vulcan, to run on unleaded. Do I still use the Haynes settings for clearences? 0.35mm/0.014" and 0.4mm/0.016" or do I need different ones. If so how do I find out what clearences I need?

I won't risk driving it until I get a response, I'll just set them for now and see what it sounds like at tickover.

Cheers for looking
Matt

You are fine to carry on mate,
the clearances are per factory if lead/unleaded unless a performance cam is used, then the cam guys some times give there own prefered settings to use.

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately that still leaves me a little uncertain about turning the key. It has a kent cam but it was put in before I bought the car so I know nothing about it.

I've set the clearences as per haynes now. Is it safe to drive it? If the clearences are too tight for the different cam will I be able to tell? I don't want to risk burning out valves.

Also are there loads of different cams available or is it likely to be a particular kent item thats been fitted (I'm wondering if I can take a low risk guess as to what cam is in there and then somehow find the correct valve settings to use for it).

Sorry for the mass of questions, I'm sure you understand though, I don't want to trash my engine for the sake of a minor tapping!

Cheers
Matt

check on the kent cams web site,
and match your number it will have you relavent settings then there

Ok, cheers mate

I actually don't know what cam I have, but I've had a hunt through the website and they all require 0.36Inlet and 0.41Outlet. I've set them to 0.35 and 0.40mm, and I lent towards the loose side anyway so I'll put it back together and see what I've got.

Thanks again
Matt

that should be fine on them settings mate

Hi, I have hardened valve sets fitted to my 2.8i. Set the clearances up as standard, had no problems and runs sweet as a nut.