Excessive valve noise?

[KZ72]

Hey guys, I’m wondering how much valve/engine noise is acceptable for a 49 flathead. When I rebuilt the engine, I set the cold valve clearance to 0.014”. The manual says to adjust the valves hot with the engine running. Now that the truck is reassembled that sounds pretty difficult. Just wondering if it’s worthwhile and will make the engine run quieter. Have a listen and tell me your thoughts. Thanks!

[The Oil Soup]

The manual lists hot clearance as intake 0.010” and exhaust 0.014” so doing both cold at 0.014” is going to make the exhaust valves a bit tight and the intakes too loose. If you’re doing them cold try adding 0.001” or 0.002” and see how that works.

[keithb7]

The noise sounds excessive to me. I'll bet your intakes are the ones making the noise.

Edited April 30, 2023 by keithb7

[Dave72dt]

Sounds loud to me.  Engine sounds don't translate accurately on this computer but there's a lot of sharp tapping  I don't usually hear.

[KZ72]

Thanks for the feedback, sounds like I’ll be adjusting valves in my near future. 

[Merle Coggins]

Here are a couple of videos I made many years ago...

 

 

 

 

[KZ72]

So I pulled the inner fender and the wheel and adjusted the valves, hot and running today. Took a few hours but well worth the effort because it’s running much quieter.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Was the engine just rebuilt?

[KZ72]

Yes I rebuilt last year, only 40 miles so far and few hours idling.