Elephant foot tappets

jseng1

jseng1

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Nov 26, 2009
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Here's some interesting photos from a customer who is going to Elephant foot tappets.

Elephant foot tappets
Elephant foot tappets


Check out the raised port floor (epoxy).

Elephant foot tappets
 
Is that in addition to a lash cap on the valve stem? Just wondering. Not familiar with the elephant gig, although I can see how they work. Thanks.
 
Have you tried these? I've often thought of using elephant's foot tappets but never found anything that didn't require a lot of work. These are just bolt-in. Where did they come from?
 
jseng1 said:
Here's some interesting photos from a customer who is going to Elephant foot tappets.

Elephant foot tappets
Elephant foot tappets


Check out the raised port floor (epoxy).

Elephant foot tappets
Click to expand...
I would think the valve rotation function would be lost.
 
robs ss said:
Jim
As an aside - can you please explain the removed rear finning and the (apparent) barbed spigot in the 3rd photo?
Cheers
Click to expand...
At risk of answering someone else's question:
Steve Maney heads are like this since the original oil return through the barrels is deleted.
The cases have an additional elbow to accept the drain.
A picture is worth a thousand words...

 
B+Bogus said:
At risk of answering someone else's question:
Steve Maney heads are like this since the original oil return through the barrels is deleted.
The cases have an additional elbow to accept the drain.
A picture is worth a thousand words...

Click to expand...

And, because on some of his heads, the porting work breaks through into the old oil drain hole.
 
seattle##gs said:
Have you tried these? I've often thought of using elephant's foot tappets but never found anything that didn't require a lot of work. These are just bolt-in. Where did they come from?
Click to expand...
My experience too.

They tend to need more space between the rocker arm and the valve stem tip. So some work is required. And some care to ensure that striking angles etc are all still good.

I used them on Triumphs as they have a poor rocker geometry and have side scrub issues etc.

But even on Triumphs I stopped using them. The faff to benefit ratio was not good enough for me.
 
B+Bogus said:
At risk of answering someone else's question:
Steve Maney heads are like this since the original oil return through the barrels is deleted.
The cases have an additional elbow to accept the drain.
A picture is worth a thousand words...

Click to expand...

Ta for that!!👍
 
Here's what he did to the exkaust ports. Anchored with screw from bottom. He's adding 5mm to the pushrod length to correct the geometry..
Elephant foot tappets
 
Jim, are the elephants fetches using off the shelf items, if so can you share details ?
 
Before and after HP numbers would be interesting with all the DIY port shape changes.

Back in the olden days there was the swivel foot tappet that did a similar job. They are probably still around and available somewhere. I tried them with the 2S cam and one of the feet busted, so tossed them. The elephant tappets shown in this post look stronger.

I put stellite caps on top of stellite KW valves and use a standard foot allen head tappet adjuster. Only a little witness mark on the cap, but zero wear after 11K miles. Without the caps the stellite valve tips get a divot in them. I know that is not supposed to happen to the stellite valve tips, but it does.
 
I hear mushroom tappets can be used on Commando...anyone with opinions on them?
 
I've used mushroom tappets on Nortons and Triumphs. They sound like a good idea so I use them. No facts to back it up. The elephant's foot style looks like it would push down evenly on the valve stem instead of dragging a steel pin across the top. I will guess that guide and valve stem wear might be improved.
 
I use the Mushroom type in my Norton 850 with very good results. Very Happy with this type and many miles. zero wear on the valve tops.
Black Diamond valves by the way.
 
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Mushroom Head Tappet/Rocker Adjusters (2005)

I have just had some work done on my 850 head (new exhaust valve & seats). There is some pitting on one of the rocker adjusters. Now is the time to replace them if I am going to ride this Australian summer. I see that you can get Mushroom Rocker Adjusters for Triumphs but I haven't found...
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