Re: alfa-digest V9 #190 - valve clearances

[AlfaNeely@domain.elided]

       I was talking to the local Alfa mechanic today and he confirmed that 
the valve clearances open up when hot.  He has checked valve clearances hot 
just as Stan Murray did.
       I guess I could tighten up the clearances in my ITB race car even 
further.

Ciao,
Russ Neely
Oklahoma City


In a message dated 1/17/2003 7:58:37 PM Central Standard Time, 
moltek@domain.elided writes:


> I have 'heard' of ITB racers running 0.001-0.002 cold just because as Russ
> is assuming the clearances on an Alfa Romeo opens up when it gets hot and
> they wanted the extra lift. I'm running 0.007 intake and 0.008 exhaust on 
> my
> street car with Euro cams since several years back without any problems.
> 
> If what we are saying is true then why did the factory specify such loose
> settings? Beats me, maybe to have a margin of safety.
> 
> Thomas Moll
> Seattle, WA
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <AlfaNeely@domain.elided>
> To: <trentkc@domain.elided>; <C2slayman@domain.elided>; <alfa-digest@domain.elided>
> Sent: Friday, January 17, 2003 7:33 AM
> Subject: Re: alfa-digest V9 #190 - valve clearances
> 
> 
> >        I am running my 84 spider SCCA ITB race car at 0.010 intake and
> 0.012
> > inches exhaust.  The rule book requires stock cams, so a bit of extra 
> lift
> > helps.  I have had no problems.
> >        I am not positive, but Alfa valve clearances might open up when
> hot.
> > I am basing this on an assumption that the aluminum will expand more than
> the
> > steel of the valves and open the clearances.  I have never checked one
> hot.
> > I guess I should.  NOTE: This is an OPINION, ungrounded, perhaps in
> anything
> > related to the real world.
> >        But IF the clearances open up when the engine warms, then the
> valves
> > are less likely to burn.  But if that were true, why did the factory not
> > specify tight settings when the engine is cold?
> >
> > Ciao,
> > Russ Neely
> > Oklahoma City
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