After valve adjustment... 280se m130 2.8 i6
 

So, after adjusting the valves on the 72 280sl for my first time, she feels smoother but also slightly noisier (valve tap). God knows when was the last time these valves were adjusted; the pervious owner had a good stack of service records with my purchase, but nothing of valve work. As I dove into the engine after the cover is off to check the clearance, all were at least two turns too tight. All twelve valves required a minimum two full turns to open up.

How long does it usually take for these valves to get that far off spec?

How much valve noise is consider normal? I worked on old land cruiser fj62, 300sd w116, and bmw r100/7 airhead engines and all had significant valve tap with correct clearance. Does anyone have video or can record the sound so I can make a comparison?

note that valve tap only increases and heard inside the car. I also looked hard for exhaust leak, but have pretty much isolated the noise to valves.

Thanks!

I have the same engine in my car, the Emerald Bullet. You can search "Emerald Bullet" on youtube and find my engine running before and after valve adjustment.

Btw... what gap did you adjust the valves to? I recall setting mine at .003 and .007.

Previously typo'd
0.08mm intake and 0.2mm exhaust cold. Yes it sounds very much alike. Definitely unlike your old rockers sound. Mine adjusted to spec now has a nice "tinking" instead of a clatter. I should be on safe grounds.

By the way your work looks amazing. I came aross a 68 w108 i6 with column stick shift months after I bought mine... ran out of cash!