'48 SA: Gaps for valves and plugs

[Dale Finch]

I notice that the specs for the valve clearances call for .014 HOT. I am just finishing the rebuild of my SA (except for the engine) and I have not run the engine, but wanted to check the valve clearances. Is it OK to set the .014 COLD? If not, what gap should I use?

I already installed the plugs, but while checking some things out today, I saw a discrepancy in the plug gap. The OWNER'S Manual says .023, but the SERVICE manual says .025 -.032. Anyone know the correct value? I'm pretty sure I used the .023, since I would have wondered about a "range" rather than a specific number. THANKS again!

[Super A]

ON the plugs it seems like Autolite's are usually around .025 out of the box, which is what I use. YOu should be fine with .023.

Al

[Gary Dotson]

The plugs will work fine at .023. For cold setting the valves, I'd give them a couple extra thou. them reset them hot, after you get it running & warmed up.

[RustyFarmall]

The valve clearance gap for a Farmall H and M is 0.017" hot. I have found that setting the gap at 0.020" on a cold engine nearly always results in the correct 0.017" clearance once the engine is hot.

I would expect the same results on a Farmall A, and suggest that you set the clearance gap at 0.017" COLD.

[Dale Finch]

Thank you all. I'm heading to Stonethrow tomorrow, so will set them when I get back. I am leaving the SA overfilled with 10 quarts (2 times the capacity) until I return, too, hoping the rear seal felt will get saturated with oil. I'll then drain it down to the proper level and hopefully try to start him... ...I'm really nervous about that...he's been down and totally dismantled for 6 months, and I sure HOPE I got everything back right!!!

The good news is that I only have two spacers? left over from the entire project (plus, of course, a thousand old nuts and bolts!!). They do fit on the rockshaft rod that goes from the TC to the rear rockshaft, but I'll be danged if I know what they would be for. I can't find anything else they fit. Maybe they came off the 59 Woods belly mower...mystery continues!!