Re: '51 Valve Clatter and Other Mysteries

Posted by Larry51 On 2013/9/1 0:04:23

Jim, can help in regard to the hole in the top of the 288 manifold: that is a heat tube for auto choke operation, and a 1/8" steel or copper tube should go through that (- not sure how far through, mine just enters the top for less than 1/2"). It terminates around rear side of the WDO carby, into the bakelite Climatic Control which has the auto choke function and needs to sample the hot air from manifold to operate the thermo spring inside. See "Tube Assembly - Automatic Choke" 9.109 in parts listing. Has 1/8" NPT fitting to screw into carby end.

Regarding how much oil should squirt from holes above lifters - I'm no expert as my '51 has solid lifters not hydraulics. You'd think there would be sufficient splash to lubricate the mating surfaces of the lifters in their bores. However IF a good oil top-up flow is needed to keep them primed then clatter could be due to not enough oil in them to keep them 'pumped up'. Un-pumped they would surely clatter. Manual says dirt can prevent proper operation by blocking holes in them.

Another clatter cause could be a stretched timing chain hitting the timing cover?