Acceptable valve noise
 

So, I am still relatively new to Porsche engines and recently reset the valves on my 2.7 engine. The valves seem to tick more than they should but I am not sure if they are too loose or if it is just normal to sound like this. I posted a link below to a video on You Tube.

Please let me know your thoughts,

Tom


Porsche 911 valve noise - YouTube

Is the engine hot or cold in the video?
Valve noise should disappear when engine warms up. If not either the valve adjustments is not done right or the valve guides are worn. Last thing would also lead to other issues like smoke from the exhaust on deceleration.

You need a reference point of your own experiences when doing valves.
I still have the original feeler gauge I bought in 1980, used once before buying a dial gauge and fixture. My most recent purchase comes from Steve Stomski new dial gauge unit. There is another unit talked about on threads here also that doesn't use dial indicator but thread pitch.
Bruce

The engine was hot. The valve noise is the same whether it is hot or cold. Before setting the valves it didn't clatter near as much. I just wondered if the valve noise was a bad thing or if it is normal.

if they are making more noise after the adjustment, you left them loose.
lots of folks do that the first time. i did the same thing, then i went back in and readjusted them and all was well. when you adjust them the next time use the feeler gauge and tighten them up so its kinda hard to pull it out of there. remember the valve clearances increase with a hot engine

I can't quite get my head around that. In a 911 engine, I can imagine the differential expansion rates of aluminum and steel as well as the temperature differences between the heads and the cam carrier, etc. when the engine is at full operating temperature, but I'm not sure what the result of all this should be relative to valve clearances. I have experienced valves in a cast iron OHV engine getting tighter when the engine heats up, but I just can't come up with a good theory of why valves in the 911 should get looser or tighter as the engine heats up. To keep from banging my head against the wall, I'll just continue to follow the "adjust 'em when they're cold" advice.

2.7
Is a great engine once all updated .
Hope you have paper work from P.O. (s)
However if it has original guides they are junk. I think they had a lot of copper in them.
They get to be the most worn guides I have ever seen.!!
That all said a 911 in good shape will have no ticky noise.
there are lots of noises blamed on valves.
can be pulled cyl studs ( again 2.7 famous)
leaky exhaust

The motor was completely rebuilt as a race motor for auto cross probably 10 years ago but doesn't have many miles on it because the car sat for 5 years when the car was retired. I am pretty comfortable that this is valve clatter but my question is, is the amount of clatter that it makes acceptable or do I need to get in there and reset them again?

Unless you have something that most 911 engines do not have, you should not hear a clatter.
At least I would not describe a good running 911 as a clattering sound.

Valves that are adjusted too tight can certainly cause more harm than too loose valves, but based on the sound in the video, I'd say that a few are definitely loose. If you do tear it apart again, the "back side method" is an easy way to spot which valves are out of spec it you can't tell just by wiggling the rocker arms. The back side method is also a good second check after you've adjusted each valve the traditional way.

Sorry, did not see the video clip. yes attend to some loose valves

I will order another set of valve cover gaskets and get back to it

Are you sure you set them to 0.10mm and not 10 thou? Only asking because I did, and got the same result! Oops.......

Only did it once though .....:)

I bought the gauge from our host with the appropriate feeler gauge inserts so I am pretty sure they are correct. If memory serves me correctly they are .004

Yes that is ok. 0.004 (4 thou) is 0.10mm.
I felt a real pratt when I found out that's what I'd done, but at least it did sort the valve noise easily and quickly!

especially if they've only recently been installed, I've had excellent luck just reusing the valve cover gaskets. It is nice to have a spare set on hand in case one of them rips, of course ...

I pulled it apart and reset them. One or two were slightly loose but it is much improved!