I've just had the con rod stick out the side of the block and all hell broke loose with flames, smoke etc, etc. I've just assembled a new block and am about to put the rocker cover on so all is not lost, Can anyone out there tell me the tappet clearances required for an A12 engine? The block is 40" over with the head having been skimmed to get 10:1 compression. Any help or info appreciated

When I did the head on mine I was told 14 thou hot or about 12 thou cold. Maybe someone else could verify but this is what I set mine at and seems to run fine.

It will depend on the type of cam you have fitted to your engine. Generally speaking wild cams with high lift lobe grinds require more clearance when setting up.

Are you using the standard camshaft or a street cam or a race grind?

along these lines... I got head work and new valves and push rods about 10,000 miles ago. How often / when should i adjust the valves?

i know L series use 0.20mm inlet and 0.25mm exh cold, and 0.25mm inlet and 0.30mm exh hot...

edit - those A series clearances mentioned sound about right.

For a stock cam, the official clearances are listed in the Table at the end of Datsun 1200 & B210 Maintenance. It's the same for A12, A13 and A14.

B210Sleeper, the regular schedule says to adjust the valves once a year as part of the regular tune-up.

Thanks guys. I found the information I was looking for in the Bible which I managed to find in a second hand bookstore.

The answer to my question if anyone is interested is

Hot 0.35mm (0.138in)
Cold 0.25mm (0.0098in)

...which someone already answered.

Thanks plently to those who replied. As a first time user I am quite impressed by everyone's enthusiasm. Keep up the good work!

(I can now go race this weekend! Wish me luck!)

Caio for now