Needs help from expert!!!

[perrysdad]

Hey Folks,

 

I'm going through my newly bought Lotus Seven S3 with a 1600 Cross-flow Ford 2255E engine, and now I've reached the valves.

 

I've found the valve clearance for a HOT engine, but not for a COLD. Since adjusting the valve clearance for a COLD engine is easier I was wondering if anyone out there would know the clearance for a cold engine??

 

Also..does anyone know what the Ignition setting should be? How many degrees?

 

Hope you can help:)

[Vovchandr]

Stock cams?

 

Internet gives this info 

 

Cold valve clearance: 0.012" in / 0.014" ex

 

Ignition: 8–10° static, ~34° total

[IamScotticus]

From the Caterham Pink manual 

[cobra8214]

I believe it’s going to be dependent on what cam you have in there - newish Crossflow Caterham owner myself, and I’ve been told by people more knowledgeable than me that in order to figure out what cam I have, I’ll need to degree my camshaft and then cross reference that with the different Crossflow cams. 

[IamScotticus]

12 minutes ago, cobra8214 said:

I believe it’s going to be dependent on what cam I’ll need to degree my camshaft and then cross reference that with the different Crossflow cams. 

The cam # should be stamped on the end of the shaft.  Will need to remove the sprocket to see it, I believe. 

Perrysdad should have a GT cam.  But as it goes with these 7s, few can resist the urge to put in a cam. So, no, we can't assume anything here.

 

But surely,  there must be a general running gap he can use, no?

Edited September 4 by IamScotticus

[MV8]

I'd set the spec cold and not worry about it for now. Then after it is running well (not ready to rev the pee out of it), check/set it hot. Valve clearance based on cam specs and crank to cam adjustments. Technically possible to have an engine where the builder put in a race spec cam then did not ensure adequate valve clearance if valve float occurs. You can add .002" to the hot specs when setting cold if you want. The goal is to ensure the valves are fully closed cold while getting the most lift and duration out of the cam.

 

Edited September 4 by MV8

[jbcollier]

Just follow the spec and set your valves hot.  I've done thousands that way.  It's not a big deal.

 

Congrats on the Lotus Seven S3.  I have one, too.  Love it.  Mine also has the 2255 (Cortina GT) engine.  Unfortunately a PO dumped in an absolutely, mind-blowingly, wild cam.  There idle is lumpy in the extreme.  I pulled the head and clayed the chambers and one valve was missing the piston by less than 0.002"!  I had pockets machined in the pistons.