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I will be taking a shot at a valve adjustment on my 1951 with 288ci engine. I have been pricing tappet wrenches and wonder do I need a complete set or just two wrenches of the right size. What is the tappet adjustment size that I need? Any tricks that I should know about the running hot valve adjustment that isn't in the book?

If remember correctly it takes two 1/2 wrenches to unlock the lifter and a third to adjust it, I would look for two 1/2 by 9/16 and one 7/16 by 1/2. Its lots of fun!! Dell

For what it's worth, on my '37 237, it was 9/16. I used one tappet wrench and a conventional wrench.

My preferred way to adjust the valves on these engines is to warm them up to operating temp and then adjust a cylinder at at time with the engine off. After each cylinder restart the engine and run it for a couple of minutes to restore the operating temp. Adjusting the valves clearances with the engine running is something only attempted by the most brave and accomplished of us.

(o{}o)

Thanks for all the great ideas. I'll let you know how it works out in a couple of weeks

What are tappet wrenches?

I have never seen them in person but they are a long thin wrench that you can fit onto the tappets with the engine running as you sit in the left wheel well. I see them for sale on eBay for $25/40 a set. Very few cars need valve adjustment any more. It is a bit of a lost art. I have never done a side valve motor Should be a challenge.