valve clearance and cam cover gasket advice please

[oldgreyandslow]

Just starting to do the valve clearances, what a bloody lot of fun this isn't!

Is the feeler gauge supposed to be able to pass right through the rocker/shim?

On #1 inlet (yes the first one I'm doing!) the gauge at 0.12 seems to get about half way or a bit more and you definetly get a drag when removing it.

Should it pass right through and therefore I assume my clearances may be a bit tight?

Finally can someone advise me if these cam cover gaskets look OK, on removal something that looked like a rubber/silicone sealant was lifting out of the grooves, I assume it may have been a gasket sealant and I'll need to apply new on reassembly





Cheers

[Neosophist]

Might just be held onto the cover with silicone to stop it dropping off. they can be a bit fiddly to fit.

It's not necessary to reapply it.

Can't remember the engine exactly but providing theres nothing in the way slide it should slide through with slight drag.. if you can stick it in a bit and it stops it's too tight so try a smaller size gauge (0.10 for ex)