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'48 SA: Gaps for valves and plugs

Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 10:43 pm
by 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!

Re: '48 SA: Gaps for valves and plugs

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 5:21 am
by 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

Re: '48 SA: Gaps for valves and plugs

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 7:13 am
by 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.

Re: '48 SA: Gaps for valves and plugs

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 9:34 am
by 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.

Re: '48 SA: Gaps for valves and plugs

Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2011 6:17 pm
by 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... :big what: ...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!!