Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Hi everyone, New srl311 owner here once again! I had one back in the early 70ies and really don't remember everything about it. I do remember that once car was idoling the oil pressure gauge would barely read anything but once it was going it would run up to 40 to 60 lbs . My question today is is it common to hear the valves tapping. Its not excessive--- excessive but louder then my 81 fiat spider and definitely loader then my 2004 Honda s2000. Thanks for your help. tony

Have you checked the valve clearance? U20s aren't the quietest things out there, but they shouldn't be super noisy. They can be noisy if the oil is a low viscosity oil, they like 20/50. I say, give it an oil change and check the valve clearance then see what it sounds like.

Will

Is it oiling very well up top ? If it is then its oiling the rest of the engine ...unless it spun a bearing
Yes best to try a new sender on it or a mech guage
Its pretty easy to adjust valves on a 2L

It could be you have a rocker or two going bad. What can happen is it starts to wear the contact pad and it develops a “dish” and makes more noise than usual. So take a careful look at the cam lobed for score marks and if you see any maybe remove that rocker and inspect the pad for erratic wear. Good luck.
Dave

Thanks for the input guys. I will look into this. I’ll first change the oil being I just got this car.

FYI, the clearances get looser when hot, so a cold setting of 8in and 10ex will be 10 and 12 hot. I tend to set mine at 6in/8ex so they're 8in/10ex hot. The manual says the opposite but it's wrong (I've tested it).

I just changed the oil to 20/50 and it seems to have quieted down some. I’ll have to check valve clearances shortly