Falco Winter Work

Message

furygan man · #16 Post by **furygan man** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 9:14 am

Anyone got any pics of a red falco like mine (silver frame) with gold pc wheels?

There's one on the AF1 forum, Falco pics...somewhere near the start/middle, will have a look next tme I'm on

Don't post the Neon light pics Rich...they won't like it!! LOL!

furygan man · #17 Post by **furygan man** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 9:27 am

...found it, not brill pic but it's the only one i've seen

rick · #18 Post by **rick** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 12:43 pm

Tempted for gold... that looks neat.

Anyway I've just checked rear cylinder valve clearances

I've checked the manual and the operating range is 0.12-0.17mm for intake and 0.23-0.28mm for exhaust. I do have a feeler gauge but its only in 0.05mm increments so I couldn't be too precise, but them seem ok. Measurements are:

Intake:
Gear side - 0.10 too loose, 0.15 *just* too tight - estimated at 0.13-0.14mm
Non-gear side - same as gear side

Exhaust:
Gear side - 0.20 too loose, 0.25 *just* too tight - estimated at 0.23-0.24mm
Non-gear side - 0.25 *just* fits

There're all estimated to be in-spec... only just (given my crude feeler gauge). Here's a pic... not the best quality on my phone though (I turned the engine to make sure the cam lobe was facing away from the valve seat).

rick · #19 Post by **rick** » Wed Dec 01, 2010 2:37 pm

Popped out and bought a more accurate feeler gauge and have just measured the front... here are the results:

Intake (Rear/Front)
Gear side - 0.12/0.12
Non-gear side - 0.14/0.14

Exhaust (Rear/Front)
Gear side - 0.26/0.23
Non-gear side - 0.25/0.26

Tolerance is 0.12-0.17mm intake and 0.23-0.28mm exhaust.

It was a right bugger getting the front cover off!

Whatcha guys think? Is it worth doing something about it or replace valve covers and check again in 10k miles or so? The top of the bucket for each valve doesnt look as if its overheated, although I doubt it would show there! What are the symptoms of valve clearances too small?

rick · #20 Post by **rick** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 12:23 am

Ok... just enjoying a beer before hitting the sack and I got thinking about what I've done today re: checking valve clearances. Apart from the front valve cover causing me lots of grief I'm pretty happy with the way its gone.

But I've just had a thought...

...does it matter which way I manually turn the engine when finding TDC?

Not saying which way I turned it yet... or if I changed direction

fastasfcuk · #21 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 8:48 am

allways turn an engine the way it runs to keep the tension on the chain or belt.

rick · #22 Post by **rick** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 9:19 am

I thought as much :(

I got my directions all wrong and did spend some time turning crank CW... and then CCW. I'd like to blame the cold working conditions in the garage, but maybe I should have thought about it a bit more before cranking the engine... or maybe just used the rear wheel in top gear.

What's the likelihood of the chains skipping a tooth on the cam gears? I didn't notice this happen and I can turn the crank CCW with no problems.

Looks like I'll be taking the valve covers off again tonight and putting some sticks on the plug holes and watching the piston move with the cams ;)

fastasfcuk · #23 Post by **fastasfcuk** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 1:41 pm

you'll be allright, if worried rotate the crank twice (in the right direction).to make sure there's no contact with the valves.

rick · #24 Post by **rick** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 2:47 pm

Yep checked at lunch... rotates fine in correct direction CCW and there is no contact. I also removed the rear valve cover, plugs and checked the position of piston against which valves were opening... looks ok. Covering the plug hole I get compression when piston moves up to tdc and then it falls back down prior to exhaust valve opening. When it's going down after tdc would u expect to feel suction at plug hole?

Also what's the phase relationship between the intake and exhaust cams on the Falco?

Everydays a school day :)

Right I'm hungry!

#25 Post by **Kwackerz** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:08 pm

*edit.*

I re-read your post.

suction while the piston is travelling down?
Possibly there would be some as the valves are shut fully. unless youre covering one plug hole but took out both plugs..

furygan man · #26 Post by **furygan man** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:21 pm

#27 Post by **Kwackerz** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 3:47 pm

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine1.htm

furygan man · #28 Post by **furygan man** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:18 pm

rick · #29 Post by **rick** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 4:26 pm

One plug left in... maybe when the piston goes down any suction could be lessened by the valves slightly opening...

#30 Post by **Kwackerz** » Thu Dec 02, 2010 5:51 pm

Hmm..not if youre on about before the exhaust valve opens?!

and then it falls back down prior to exhaust valve opening

You'll have a certain amount of angle when youre going to get no valve movement as the cam lobes arent touching anything during the combustion (bang) part of the cycle. In theory you would have some suction against your finger.

Unless...

Valve timing out (wouldve gone bang/pop/kaboom by now methinks..)
or the rings are worn.. but didnt you do a compression test on it anyways? or am i thinking someone else?

Im waiting for Will to comment.