valve clearance hot/cold

I was wondering if the valve clearances get tighter or larger when the engine goes from cold to hot.
What change takes place when the engine heats up?
:?:

 

Check them cold. They tighten up.

 

Yes, I checked them Cold. However, #1 exhaust was right on th edge of tolerance (too much gap) and decided to re-shim. Was also wondering if it is better to have the clearances on the high side or on the low side?
Thanks

 

better loose than tight; there is usually only one shim that will put you in the correct range. They tighten as they wear.

 

The range for the tolerance is .04mm (.11 - .15 intake .16-.20 exhaust). Since the shims come in .05mm increments there is AT MOST 1 shim that will be in tolerance.

For instance, if your exhaust valve is at .20 and you go up one size in the shim the clearance will be .15, too small.

Now, suppose you have a clearance is .205 (too loose). If you go to a 1 size thicker shim the clearance will be .155 (too tight). In a case like this opt for the shim that gives you .205, better a tad loose than a tad tight.

 

rather than start a new thread, i figured i'd ask here since the thread title is "valve clearance hot/cold"

i was just wondering if it really matters how cold? my seca has been parked in my (usually) unheated garage all winter and is quite definitely cold. i've been thinking about checking the valve clearances again, but was wondering if they might be, now, too cold?

 

No, you're fine. The difference between 5*F and 55*F only matters to you, not the metal.

 

cool,

 

It does effect the metal but with these big tolerances its not going to make a difference you wont even be able to tell.