I am having trouble understanding how the valve lifter works on a 16H I am restoring. I can't seem to find any pictures clear enough to show the details. Has anyone got any info on this or is kind enough to take a picture of their 16H showing this detail, I would be grateful. I have the long lever but haven't a clue how it is attached to the exhaust valve. Thanks David
Which Model Year ?
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16hvalve lifter
Thanks for the quick reply Richard.
The bike is a 1939 model
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1939 16 H valve lifter
I'm still in the dark as to how the valve lifter works on a 1939 16H
Can anyone send me a picture/s of that area preferably with the cover removed
Thanks
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Most 16H are WD as you…
Most 16H are WD as you probably know. Or similar from the 30's. Possibly the reason for the deafening silence here. Is the lifter very different from that shown in the WD manual (which can be downloaded free)?
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1938 Pattern
Sorry David B, I didn't see your reply back in October..there is no system of notifications on here (is there ?).
You have the 1938 pattern engine with the enclosed valves, also used for 1946 and 1947. I'm afraid that I only have 1936 pattern engines with exposed valves and they have quite a different system.
As far as I'm aware, and as shown in the WD Big4 manual, you should have a shaft with a flat which operates on a lip on the exhaust valve tappet. The exterior arm is returned by a volute spring on the cable.
https://www.wdnorton.nl/Downloads/B4%20M&I%20manual%20200dpi%20by%20courtesy%20of.pdf
Do you have all the parts ? If you're stuck, I can certainly put you in touch with a WD Big 4 guru who probably has an engine in pieces.
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Problem solved
Thanks Richard, the diagram from the manual you sent me a link to has provided me the info I needed. It appears I have two different valve lifter levers, one long and straight and a shorter cranked one (this is the one I need). I also have found the shaft with the flat. I just need the volute spring. The bike is in lots of bits in various boxes, the person I bought it from gave up on it and its been laying around in his garage for about 25 years. I have a BMS copy of the 16h manual but there's lots more detail in the pdf manual so this will help me find what goes where.
Thanks again.
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Volute springs...
If you can’t find any check out your secateurs, they are commonly used in older designs. I saw a thread on Manx Norton air and advance control levers which recommended looking at old petrol lawn mowers. Getting into gardening bit by bit...
cheers
jon
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Fan Cooled engine?
Gerardo:
The cylinder head shown has a dearth of fining.
I would think that it came off a unit that had a fan cooled engine.
Like something that might have been fitted to a yard tractor or mower.
Mike
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I can't measure it but the…
I can't measure it but the fin count looks like mine, and my spare. I think it's correct.
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Continuing the gardening theme...
... garden centres sell greenhouse glazing clips which are just the same as headlight rim retaining clips and much cheaper!
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The cilinder head
Michael, I think it should be original (19 cooling fins) is the same as the attached figure, Greetings
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There are three main types...Prior to 1938 with open valves, the '38 enclosed valve engine and the '48-on 'Chimney pot' engine.