[Healeys] Denis Welch Tappets Again

[David Nock BCS]

We use Driven Break in oil 20/50 for the first 500 miles and then change over to Driven GPI 20/50 on all of our engines, and never had a cam failure



David Nock
British Car Specialists
209-948-8767
www.britishcarspecialists.com

From: Michael Oritt via Healeys 
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2023 7:44 AM
To: Michael Salter 
Cc: Ahealey help 
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Denis Welch Tappets Again

At the risk of awakening Godzilla from his dormancy I'll go ahead and say the accursed letters:  ZDDP!

Best--Michael Oritt

On Wed, May 24, 2023 at 10:34 AM Michael Salter <michaelsalter at gmail.com> wrote:

  Speaking as someone who has over the years had 2 bouts of tappet failure in 100 engines I would suggest that you are wise to be cautious. 
  I can't advise on the tappets that you have fitted but can say the I am now using sets from A H Spares which are proving to be very satisfactory and are different from those I have had problems with.
  I have, in B.#174, a magnetic oil drain plug and have found that to be a very good indicator of impending tappet failure. On the last 2 oil changes there was absolutely no metal on the plug.
  My procedure initial start procedure was to firstly remove the inner valve springs as I have found that they and the additional pressure that they produce are just not required as my engine exhibits absolutely no sign of valve bounce right up to the red line.
  I use Lucas 20/50 break in oil for the 1st 500 miles. 
  On first start I held the engine around 1500 RPM for about 20 minutes. (I have difficulty believing that this is necessary but that's what the experts recommend so you have to be sure that the cooling system is in good shape).
  I change to VR1 non synthetic 20/50 after 500 odd miles and then change the oil every 3000 miles.
  The engine in B#174 now runs with absolutely NO tappet clatter which is pretty unusual for a 100.
  I recently checked the valve clearances and they were unchanged after 2500 miles, another good indicator that the cam and tappets are holding up well
  I'm sure others have had different experiences but I  would recommend that you make every effort to avoid a cam/tappet failure because rectification requires a complete engine strip down.
  Good luck.

  M
  (Still running perfectly with outer springs only)

  On Wed., May 24, 2023, 8:46 a.m. Michael MacLean, <springer.mike51 at gmail.com> wrote:

    As I get closer to starting my 100 engine I have yet to replace the modified Denis Welch tappets like a list member suggested I do.  I got nervous, so I ordered a set of NOS tappets from Ahead4Healeys to swap with the installed Welch tappets recently.  Now, searching the archives, I  find someone had problems with NOS lifters after 6000 miles. Ruined a cam and the lifters.  So, what am I supposed to do now?  Should I just buy aftermarket tappets?  Are the aftermarket tappets hardened correctly?  Why wouldn't the NOS tappets be hardened right?  I don't want to replace the cam after I get this thing running.
    Mike MacLean

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