Cam side or valve side valve adjustments?

Post your E12 technical questions and comments here. Please, no off-topic posts.

Moderators: Mike W., Pierre

Post Reply
User avatar
RonDwyer
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:01 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Cam side or valve side valve adjustments?

Post by RonDwyer »

I understand the difference, it sounds like a cam side check is a good way to verify whether there is any valve top cupping. I use .012 on the valve side what should the cam side feeler clearance?
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi

14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
User avatar
Mike W.
Posts: 2790
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 12:12 am
Location: Sonoma County

Post by Mike W. »

if the valves are original, one or more of the valve stems is probably worn and the adjustment should be done to .008 on the cam side
Quoting from the Mye28 FAQ. At .012 you're using the common ground between early and late. Up thru 81 M30s were spec'd at .010-.012, 82 and later was .012-.014.
Mike W.



1980 528i, 3.5 euro, 5 speed conversion
1981 528i, 3.6, Recaros and more. Project
1998 328is, quick and efficient, but not satisfying
2000 528iit, Vacation mobile/wife's grocery getter
User avatar
RonDwyer
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:01 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Post by RonDwyer »

But what if the lobes are fittin to cups on top of the vales, the clearance would be too much. Is there a good rule on cam side clearance checking?
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi

14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
User avatar
Lock
Posts: 458
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2015 1:51 pm
Location: Olympia, WA
Contact:

Post by Lock »

You can replace the eccentrics if they have flats. I set mine at .008-.009 inches on the cam side, and once I've done the whole engine I check each one again. I'd rather spend a few bucks and replace the eccentrics that are starting to flat, than have to adjust them again within 6 months because a new flat spot has formed.
The valves are supposed to be free to rotate, so the stems "shouldn't" get cupping, but they do. So if you measure from the cam side, you'll get the true measurement.
1979 528i - Sold
User avatar
RonDwyer
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:01 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Post by RonDwyer »

Of course the valves rotate. A perfect environment for an eccentric to nest within a cup on the top of the valve. The eccentric is circular and hits the geometric center of the valve stem.

Seems like the idea of cam side measurements are not in many of our toolboxes...?
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi

14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
User avatar
Lock
Posts: 458
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2015 1:51 pm
Location: Olympia, WA
Contact:

Post by Lock »

If the eccentrics wear grooves into the valve stems they're not going to rotate anymore, making the problem worse. I only ever measure from the cam side, valve side is too unreliable.
1979 528i - Sold
User avatar
RonDwyer
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:01 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Post by RonDwyer »

So what measurement is being used for cam side checks? That is what I am trying to determine. What is a good cam side lash setting for a B35?

Note: The diagram is exaggerated for effect :D

Image [/img]
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi

14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
User avatar
RonDwyer
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:01 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Cam side feeler thickness?

Post by RonDwyer »

Anyone have a cam side feeler thickness to suggest?
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi

14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
User avatar
Lock
Posts: 458
Joined: Sun Oct 04, 2015 1:51 pm
Location: Olympia, WA
Contact:

Post by Lock »

I set my cam side lash to .008-.009 inches on my M30B28
The rockers on all M10/M30s have a cam-to-valve ratio of of 1.298.
So if the specified valve measurement is supposed to be .012, then .012/1.298 = .009 at the cam side.
Later M30s had slightly more clearance, your M30B35 should have more clearance than say the M30B28. Adjust to your liking but the ratio is key.
Check out this article:
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showth ... p?t=487113
1979 528i - Sold
User avatar
RonDwyer
Posts: 470
Joined: Sun Mar 01, 2009 7:01 pm
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Post by RonDwyer »

.009 is what I had been seeing as well, it does sound a lot better measured that way.
Ron Dwyer
Milwaukee, Wi

14 Audi A8L TDI
03 530i
08 F150 4X4
Post Reply