ryanpom88 1 #1 Posted July 31, 2019 Hello everyone! I'm new to the wheel horse/ garden tractor scene but know a little about engines. I picked up a 1977 B80 with a K181 8hp for $150. I thought it was a good price, ran rough got it home and did a basic tune up- clean carb, new air filter & spark plug, rebuilt fuel pump, new fuel lines and filter and changed oil twice(rotella t4 30w) and seems to have developed a steady 20190729_212947_1_1.mp4 tap/tic/knock at all engine speeds after reassembly. Any help or insight would be appreciated! Thanks 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 66,815 #2 Posted July 31, 2019 @ryanpom88! It sounds to me like a little bit of lifter / valve tick. M 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,686 #3 Posted July 31, 2019 I can't view it but pullstart is probably correct. You should check the valve tappet clearance. problem with K181s they are not adjustable. you have to grnid them down a bit if they are too tight or replace the valve if it is too loose (Probably your case as too loose makes them a bit clicky)...or do what I do ...live with the tapping 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryanpom88 1 #4 Posted July 31, 2019 (edited) Ok that's kinda what I was hoping to hear. I was worried it was something a bit more catastrophic and would have to rebuild. I haven't run it much because I was worried about causing further damage. I'll check the clearance this weekend. Also am i causing damage by running it like that? If I know the noise is normal(ish) and not hurting anything I can deal with it BUT if I know that its causing damage to the engine it's like nails on a chalk board lol. Thanks again! Edited July 31, 2019 by ryanpom88 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 72,710 #5 Posted August 1, 2019 7 hours ago, ryanpom88 said: causing damage by running it like that If you're gentle it should not hurt too much. If it's a worker..... Probably ought to try and fix it. My Patriot horse B80 has been like that for at least a year and I just take it easy and only run it at half throttle or so. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gwest_ca-(File Mod) 11,489 #6 Posted August 1, 2019 From my experience it is not normal for valve clearance to increase. Try running some Marvel Mystery oil in the fuel and see if that makes a difference. There may be a valve sticking or a bit of carbon preventing the valve from fully closing. It can take only .001" or .002" to make a quiet valve noisy. Garry Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rmaynard 16,299 #7 Posted August 1, 2019 Your video started out sounding like valve tap, but as the speed increased it sounds more like rod knock. You might try advancing the timing a bit by closing the points gap slightly. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
richmondred01 2,307 #8 Posted August 1, 2019 (edited) Remember that the valves in the k181 only can be adjusted by removing them and grinding the stems. But for 150.00 bucks you got a great deal. Have fun with it. All the best. Edited August 1, 2019 by richmondred01 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
