Guide to silencing those noisey HCS tappets of yours

Please check here before posting to see if your question has been answered before.

Guide to silencing those noisey HCS tappets of yours

Postby RS_Rawli on Sat Nov 22, 2003 7:07 pm

done this today, n it really has worked

so here goes


tools required

ratchet
strong arm
10mm socket
11mm socket
13/14mm socket (cant remmeber which)
19mm spanner
feeler gauges
grinder and a steady hand or a grinding stone

- MAKE SURE CAR IS COLD

Remove air box from top of carb, (3 screws)

Un clip the breather pipes from the air box

take off the plug leads (remember where these go thought - might be wise to check that they are in order - Left to right on the clip that mounts on the rocker cover

Undo the rocker cover (4 10mm bolts)

remove the rocker cover - being careful not to damage the gasket if there is one on yours

you will now see 8 rockers, 4 14mm bolts, 8 valves and 8 11mm bolts

undo the 4 14mm bolts with the ratchet or use the strong arm if they are too tight

lift out the bolts, and lift up the rocker shaft - being careful to leave all 8 pushrods behind (the long black giant golf ball style things) at the back.

you now hold the rocker shaft

if you look at the faces of the rockers (the tappet parts) you will notice an indentation on each one, this is due to the valves wearing away at the face and hence why even when you set the tappets they are still loud (because of the indentation that you dont read)

you are now faced with two options

struggle to grind them flat whilst in situe on the shaft

or

remove the split pin from either end and slide off all the springs and the rockers (being careful to remmber where they go cos afair they are numbered differnetly :-? )

then using either a grinding stone, or a steady hand and an angle grinder grind the surface off the face to remove the indentation (dont go daft) just literally skim across the surface so its flat or as best you can get it (be sure to use saftey s**t for this i dont want any complaints :lol:

when done put em back on the shaft in order that you removed them

place the shaft back onto the head, line the bolt holes up and make sure that all of the push rods are sat nicely under the rockers (usually they will spin pretty easily if they are) (its important to make sure that they are seated propperly cos you could bend em if they aint)

when your confident that they are all sat in nicely tighten the middle two 14mm bolts, then the outer two and then check em all for tightness (probs best doin this with a torque wrench but im lazy)

then refer to the haynes to set the tappets (cos i cant be bothered explaining it)
might be an idea to do the valve stem seals in situe while your at it

stick it back together

start it up, voila, silence ;)


rawli

- i dont accept resonsibility for anything going funlumps up :)
Image
RS_Rawli
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 10019
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:00 am

Postby AndyRS1800 on Sat Nov 22, 2003 7:31 pm

Just got back from Mr Rawli's... car runnin quiet as... thought he had stuck a Zetec in there on the sly... Nice 1... :D
Image
AndyRS1800
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 5239
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2001 1:00 am
Location: Bolton.... Drives: Golf GTi Turbo for now

Postby RS_Rawli on Sat Nov 22, 2003 7:32 pm

AndyRS1800 wrote:Just got back from Mr Rawli's... car runnin quiet as... thought he had stuck a Zetec in there on the sly... Nice 1... :D


all ya can hear is the belts :D gonna do summut else to make it that bit quieter 2moz ;)
Image
RS_Rawli
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 10019
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:00 am

Postby Stoned on Sat Nov 22, 2003 7:55 pm

What the heck is a nice car like yours doing with such a rubbish engine in it!!
Stoned
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 8944
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2002 10:46 pm
Location: Portsmouth

Postby AndyRS1800 on Sat Nov 22, 2003 7:57 pm

:lol:

Waiting for the right FRST engine...
Image
AndyRS1800
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 5239
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2001 1:00 am
Location: Bolton.... Drives: Golf GTi Turbo for now

Postby PaulC on Sat Nov 22, 2003 10:05 pm

Rebuilt a head on a HCS escort a few weeks back, and set the tappets. Didnt bother taking the rocker shaft off, just reset them and its as quiet as a new engine.

One thing to watch out for is the inlet/exhausts swap half way, the middle valves (4 + 4) are both exhaust.

Also, HCS valves cant be done in situ I dont think, CVH can, but I wouldnt suggest it unless you want to start snapping studs in the head like I did on mine :(
PaulC
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 4573
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2002 12:00 am
Location: Manchester, Lancashire

Postby RS_Rawli on Sun Nov 23, 2003 11:03 am

PaulC wrote:Rebuilt a head on a HCS escort a few weeks back, and set the tappets. Didnt bother taking the rocker shaft off, just reset them and its as quiet as a new engine.

One thing to watch out for is the inlet/exhausts swap half way, the middle valves (4 + 4) are both exhaust.

Also, HCS valves cant be done in situ I dont think, CVH can, but I wouldnt suggest it unless you want to start snapping studs in the head like I did on mine :(


usually when just setting the tappets the noise comes back within a few hundred miles

its due to the fact that the valves wear a nice dome shape into the rocker face resulting in accurate clearance being unmeasurable using feeler gauges ;)
Image
RS_Rawli
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 10019
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:00 am

Postby Liebo on Sun Nov 23, 2003 11:36 am

You can set the clearences to be smaller than they should be, Fiesta_Steve knows more about this...
Image
Liebo
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 1723
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2003 12:43 am
Location: Chesterfield Drives: Ford Focus 1.6 LX Auto

Postby RS_Rawli on Sun Nov 23, 2003 1:41 pm

Liebo wrote:You can set the clearences to be smaller than they should be, Fiesta_Steve knows more about this...

this will result in loss of power though :p
Image
RS_Rawli
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 10019
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:00 am

Postby Liebo on Sun Nov 23, 2003 1:47 pm

i thought it would be more power?
Image
Liebo
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 1723
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2003 12:43 am
Location: Chesterfield Drives: Ford Focus 1.6 LX Auto

Postby Liebo on Sun Nov 23, 2003 1:49 pm

Also, instead of grinding them flat, why dont you just buy new ones from Ford that will be flat if they are spose to be flat new anyway?
Image
Liebo
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 1723
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2003 12:43 am
Location: Chesterfield Drives: Ford Focus 1.6 LX Auto

Postby RS_Rawli on Sun Nov 23, 2003 1:59 pm

Liebo wrote:Also, instead of grinding them flat, why dont you just buy new ones from Ford that will be flat if they are spose to be flat new anyway?


grinding is free :rolleyes:

less power as the valves have less room to move up :rolleyes:
Image
RS_Rawli
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 10019
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:00 am

Postby Liebo on Sun Nov 23, 2003 2:14 pm

i thought setting the valves closer down would mean there is more space above them to move up :/
Image
Liebo
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 1723
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2003 12:43 am
Location: Chesterfield Drives: Ford Focus 1.6 LX Auto

Postby RS_Rawli on Sun Nov 23, 2003 4:23 pm

Liebo wrote:i thought setting the valves closer down would mean there is more space above them to move up :/


you work that one out then :lol:

youve just said - smaller gap means that they can move more :lol:
Image
RS_Rawli
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 10019
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:00 am

Postby Liebo on Sun Nov 23, 2003 4:34 pm

look, i dont know what the f**k i am talking about half the time...
Image
Liebo
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 1723
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2003 12:43 am
Location: Chesterfield Drives: Ford Focus 1.6 LX Auto

Postby RS_Rawli on Sun Nov 23, 2003 4:35 pm

Liebo wrote:look, i dont know what the dickens i am talking about half the time...


why post then :-?
Image
RS_Rawli
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 10019
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:00 am

Postby Liebo on Sun Nov 23, 2003 4:39 pm

An idea?
I was told having smaller than standard was better for performance.

This must be wrong.
Image
Liebo
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 1723
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2003 12:43 am
Location: Chesterfield Drives: Ford Focus 1.6 LX Auto

Postby RS_Rawli on Sun Nov 23, 2003 4:40 pm

Liebo wrote:An idea?
I was told having smaller than standard was better for performance.

This must be wrong.


no idea, afaik it reduces performance :D
Image
RS_Rawli
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 10019
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:00 am

Postby PaulC on Sun Nov 23, 2003 6:58 pm

Liebo wrote:I was told having smaller than standard was better for performance.


Smaller gap = larger valve opening.

The rod still pushes the same, so a smaller gap will mean the valves will open further. It affects performance, but thats it I think. If the gaps are too big then thats when you start damaging things because the valves arent open enough.
PaulC
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 4573
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2002 12:00 am
Location: Manchester, Lancashire

Postby PaulC on Sun Nov 23, 2003 7:00 pm

Liebo wrote:Also, instead of grinding them flat, why dont you just buy new ones from Ford that will be flat if they are spose to be flat new anyway?


I'd hate to think what just one would cost! Was getting a speedo cable the other week and a women wanting a wheel trim for a mondeo had a heart attack.. £25 each!
PaulC
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 4573
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2002 12:00 am
Location: Manchester, Lancashire

Postby dan_turner on Wed Nov 26, 2003 6:25 pm

Hi Guys
Reason for not over tightening the valves is basically you are supposed to adjust the valves from cold. The gap is there so that there is room for expansion as the metal gets hot. If they are too tight the valves will not shut properly causing a loss in compression. Result.... Flat, slow engine
Hope this helps
dan_turner
Poster
Poster
 
Posts: 60
Joined: Mon Nov 17, 2003 11:15 am
Location: Bristol

Postby bluefiestamk3 on Mon Jan 26, 2004 11:57 pm

cheers rawli, just found this, im gon have a go tommoro :D

The ends should be totally flat not rounded off or dome shaped as you put it?

cheers :D
bluefiestamk3
BANNED MEMBER
 
Posts: 2831
Joined: Mon Sep 29, 2003 10:25 pm
Location: Rugby, Warwickshire

Postby Meths on Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:36 pm

Liebo wrote:Also, instead of grinding them flat, why dont you just buy new ones from Ford that will be flat if they are spose to be flat new anyway?


Asked while I was in the parts shop this afternoon....
£9 each (£72 per set of 8 ).

EDIT: Smilie instead of 8 !
Meths
Newbie Poster
Newbie Poster
 
Posts: 16
Joined: Tue Jan 27, 2004 10:28 pm
Location: Bromley, Kent

Postby badj on Thu Apr 22, 2004 11:32 pm

dun this, with a minor setback of forgetting to align the pushrods *dont forget* lol.

runs alot quieter, [ERRR] go even quieter wen i adjust the tappets properly

got pics tho! -

Before - Worn tappets
Image

Ater - Smooth tappet
Image
Last edited by badj on Sun Apr 25, 2004 11:47 pm, edited 1 time in total.
badj
Senior Poster
Senior Poster
 
Posts: 219
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:25 am
Location: N/Wales

Postby RS_Rawli on Thu Apr 22, 2004 11:37 pm

thats the way, u will have noticed that they where propper indented
Image
RS_Rawli
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 10019
Joined: Wed Mar 13, 2002 12:00 am

Postby badj on Thu Apr 22, 2004 11:43 pm

lol glad u didnt say id grinded the wrong things!
Last edited by badj on Mon Apr 26, 2004 12:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
badj
Senior Poster
Senior Poster
 
Posts: 219
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:25 am
Location: N/Wales

Postby Liebo on Fri Apr 23, 2004 9:46 pm

Liebo wrote:I was told having smaller than standard was better for performance.


RS_Rawli wrote:this will result in loss of power though :p


PaulC wrote:Smaller gap = larger valve opening.

The rod still pushes the same, so a smaller gap will mean the valves will open further. It affects performance, but thats it I think. If the gaps are too big then thats when you start damaging things because the valves arent open enough.



So I was right? small gap better performance?
anyone know the optimal setting? I believe Fiesta_Steve does?
Image
Liebo
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 1723
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2003 12:43 am
Location: Chesterfield Drives: Ford Focus 1.6 LX Auto

Postby badj on Fri Apr 23, 2004 10:25 pm

ok its a bit noisey today but thats prolly cos i havnt got a feeler guage to set the rockers... spent all today sorting out sum rust n fitting my backbox properly, then cleaning and polishing the focka.

any otha ideas on how to silence the bugger down a bit?

oh an has any1 else got a manual choke?? how annoying :x
badj
Senior Poster
Senior Poster
 
Posts: 219
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:25 am
Location: N/Wales

Postby Liebo on Sat Apr 24, 2004 2:37 pm

manual choke = pre 1993 engine
Image
Liebo
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 1723
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2003 12:43 am
Location: Chesterfield Drives: Ford Focus 1.6 LX Auto

Postby badj on Sun Apr 25, 2004 12:36 pm

ye i kno, no s**t sherlock! (sorry for sarcasm)

dus ne1 else hav a G reg n find this annoyin? lol
badj
Senior Poster
Senior Poster
 
Posts: 219
Joined: Tue Apr 20, 2004 9:25 am
Location: N/Wales

Postby Lolly on Fri May 14, 2004 11:07 am

how can i quiet my 1.1's tappets?! :lol: :-?
Lolly
Newbie Poster
Newbie Poster
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu May 13, 2004 11:00 am
Location: Northern Ireland

Postby Marc D on Sat May 15, 2004 7:10 pm

says in the first post
At least i dont drive a saxo!!
Marc D
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 1197
Joined: Wed May 28, 2003 8:52 pm
Location: Wirral near liverpool Drives: MK2 XR2
Your car: fiesta xr2, xr2i and rs turbo

Postby Badgerboy on Tue Jul 13, 2004 10:34 pm

I did this yesterday, and while I was at it cleaned everything up nicely and gave it a glaze of engine oil putting it back together.

After grinding the rockers down, I reassembled everything, and set the tappets correctly. Turned the engine over and...

Well, rather disapointed to be fair. Its a little quieter but still sounds like a HCS bag of nails. (Like new then!) I was under the impression from the above posts that it would be noticable difference.

Meh, the engines only got to last 6 more months hopfully, and then we go turbo!
Badgerboy
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 2469
Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2003 1:02 am
Location: Newport, South Wales

Postby Max M4X WW on Sat Jul 17, 2004 11:58 pm

Did you adjust valve clearances after smoothing them?
Max M4X WW
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
User avatar
Posts: 18161
Joined: Sun Jun 22, 2003 9:52 pm
Location: Hampshire
Your car: Merc CL500

Car: 2014 BMW M135i

Postby Badgerboy on Sun Jul 18, 2004 3:09 pm

Max M4X WW wrote:Did you adjust valve clearances after smoothing them?


After grinding the rockers down, I reassembled everything, and set the tappets correctly . Turned the engine over and...


Yes, did them properly. Done them a few times over the years now.
Badgerboy
Elite Post Master
Elite Post Master
 
Posts: 2469
Joined: Sun Jul 27, 2003 1:02 am
Location: Newport, South Wales

Next

cron

Twitter

The second 20th Anniversary article, a dive into the history of how the site came about is available here: https://t.co/kbCfZ4sf0R

17:44, 4th December 2021 Twitter Web App

To celebrate https://t.co/wXVkvJipaS being 20 years old this year, I've written a series of articles detailing the… https://t.co/B0vE0Y3KvP

17:42, 4th December 2021 Twitter Web App

Follow fiestaturbo.com on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/fiestaturbo/

RSS Feeds

Subscribe to the RSS feed

What is RSS?

RSS is a technology that lets you use special applications or modern browsers to notify you you when a site is updated. You can then read the updated content in that application or your browser.

To subscribe to these RSS feeds you need to copy the links above. For instructions on how to add it to the feeds you keep track of, consult the documentation of your RSS reader.