1988 Paso Valve Clearances

discussions specific to the 750 Paso

Moderators: paso750, jcslocum

Post Reply
murphus
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2020 6:27 pm
model: 750 Paso
year: 1988
Location: USA

1988 Paso Valve Clearances

Post by murphus »

I've searched the forum for a possible answer to this question, but maybe I'm using the wrong key words as I've come up empty. The question isn't what are the specified clearances, it's what, in the experience of those, well, more experienced, is too tight? Just checked the valves, and all of the opening shim clearances were what I'd call a very loose .003in, almost .004in, which is spec. I used the unload method for checking the closing shims and they're all in spec at .001in, with one being tight, perhaps on the order of .0008in. The shim caps all spin easily when I unload the closing rocker arm. Are my opening clearances acceptable against a recommended .004in? Is the one slightly tight closing clearance cause for concern?

This is my first Ducati, so my operating knowledge is limited. At present, I don't even know if the engine runs. I'm working through it slowly with the aim of ensuring it actually runs before I commit substantial time/money. OK, I know it'll take plenty of time, but ...

Thanks in advance for any insight.
1973 BMW R75/5
1976 Suzuki GT185
1983 Lavarda RGS 1000
1988 Ducati Paso 750
1995 BMW K75
User avatar
Derek
paso grand pooh-bah
Posts: 768
Joined: Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:13 am
model: 907 I.E.
year: 1994
Location: Scotland

Re: 1988 Paso Valve Clearances

Post by Derek »

I'd be happy with those clearances. I'm not sure about the 750 engines but for the 904 at one time Ducati specified .003" inlet and .004" exh for openers, that was later changed to .004" and .005".
Even if you can't measure the gap, as long as all the closers can spin when you press down on the closing rocker arm they are good
1994 907ie
2017 Supersport 939
2015 Scrambler Classic
1982 Pantah 500SL (now sold)


Scotland
murphus
Posts: 101
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2020 6:27 pm
model: 750 Paso
year: 1988
Location: USA

Re: 1988 Paso Valve Clearances

Post by murphus »

Thanks for the input. Based on experience with other engines the numbers I got didn't seem far enough off to warrant a readjust, but not really knowing these engines or how tolerant they are I was interested in experienced opinions. From what I've learned, a previous owner sent the heads out to a shop in Chicago. This likely would have been in the mid- to late-90s. He apparently didn't feel confident attempting adjustment and didn't have access to shims, so he removed the heads and sent them out. I have no idea what shop, but assuming it was someone familiar with belt-drive Ducs.
1973 BMW R75/5
1976 Suzuki GT185
1983 Lavarda RGS 1000
1988 Ducati Paso 750
1995 BMW K75
Post Reply