turbowhine

I just adjusted the valve lash on my 22RE today and noticed that before any adjusments the tappets were all quite snug. However after adjusting the valves to the correct lash, I heard a lot more noise from the valve train. I wondered if people familiar with the 22RE have ever tightened the valve lash adjusters a bit on the tight side to reduce this noise. I later rechecked all of the lash (again, while the engine was hot) and everything was spot on, just loud.
I also read that overtightening the valve cover would cause a little extra noise too, does anyone know what that's all about?
I'm an experienced mechanic and have dove valve adjustments on lots on engines and understand exactly what's happening on the engine, but I'm just curious if any 22RE gurus have any thoughts or suggestions on lash.
I set exhaust at .012" and intake at .008" and then later rechecked after 1/2 hour of driving and all adjusments were still set to spec. I'm wondering mostly if the previous owner or their mechanic might've over tightened the valves just to quiet the thing down a bit. any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

flecker

LEAVE IT- it's completely normal.

toynado

i use smaller gaps
don't remember exactly wut tho, sorry
it duz get a LITTLE quieter
i did it for hp
barely noticeable with enuf cam ...
the valve train IS A FRIGGIN OBNOXIOUSLY NOISY CREEPY BITCH
I HATE THAT NOISE

it will never be quiet

g_cali

Yep 22re's are notorious for valve noise. Coincidentally i also adjusted my valves today, and like you they are making alot more noise now than they were before even though they are in spec. Im planning on re-adjusting tomorrow an will probably set them a little on the tight side...

T_F_E

I did the same last week just keep runnin it.

turbowhine

Yeah, I figured the noise was somewhat normal, but I really appreciate all the tips and ideas. I've checked and rechecked the gaps just to be sure they're in spec and they are, but I might go .001 too tight to find that balance. It's bone stock with 206k miles so a little clacking I can live with, but most of the charm of my '91 is that it looks showroom condition, so my goal is smooth and reliable stock performance and a reasonably quiet ride.

flecker

Go .01 then... like Gnarls said- some tightening of valve lash is OK, to much is bad imo.

Even my new 89 rattled a wee bit- not bad though.

turbowhine

Today I tightened the intakes to .006 and the exhausts to .010 and it seems to be the best balance of true timing tune and noise. It quieted back down to a reasonable level but I'll just have to check them more often to make sure they don't snug up. Also, I can now do a complete valve lash in under 45 minutes. If I run into any problems with theses gaps I'll post up with the details.

swampfox

my 89 was quiet untill i adjusted them the first time, since then i have readjusted them three more times before the head gasket change and three after and they are still noisy. i have also tried setting them at the cold specs no luck. so i finally gave up and turned up the radio and decided to live with it. i have wondered if the end of the adjuster wears at an angle after time.i was going to inspect them when i did the head gasket, but after fighting a stuck head bolt for a couple days i forgot.