Triumph Repair: 78 Spitfire, exhaust stroke, aftermarket cam

Question
QUESTION: Sir,  Will your procedure regarding valve adjustments for the TR Triumph (3/08)be similar for a 78 Spitfire.  My valves are a little noisy, but I've never adjusted valves before.  Thanks.

ANSWER: Hi John,
Yes, the procedure is the same except on the four cylinder engine you will see #1 & 3 springs compressed at the same time so you will set #6 & 8 valve. Just think of a mirror in the center of the engine and set the opposite valves from the ones compressed.

Or the system where when # 1 piston is at TDC of the exhaust stroke (meaning both intake and exhaust are just slightly open) you can set both valves on the opposite cylinder. I have used both systems and they both work well.

The procedure is set by the cam manufacture not the engine manufacture so if you have an aftermarket cam or a competition cam you should refer to them for the sequence.

Howard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Mr. Fitzcharles for answering my earlier valve question.  
I have another cranking problem:  Occassionally, (usually in front of a crowd) my 4 cylinder 1500 won't turn over-all I get is a clicking noise.  I've learned that I can get out of my car and spin the starter with my hand and usually (not always), this will allow me to crank it.  Otherwise, I have to solicit help to push me off.  Obviously, this is a little embarrassing and like I said, it happens intermittently and usually at the worst moments like re-fueling. It does not matter whether the engine is cold or hot.  I believe the clicking noise comes from my solenodi, but I re-placed it last year and thought for awhile the problem had been resolved.  
Could it be that something in my starter isn't working?
I believe my battery connections aren't the problem.
Thanks ahead of time for any suggestions you have to offer.

Answer
John, you need to do a simple test. Connect up a 12v test light to the electrical post on the starter motor and have someone try to start it. If it starts shut it down and keep trying until you get it to fail and look at the light at that time. If it fails to spin the motor and the light is on, then hold the key in the start position and quickly connect your test light to the ground on the battery and check to see if the case of the starter is powered. If it is then it is a ground problem if the case is not hot (powered) then you have a bad spot on the commutator in the starter and you need to either take it apart and clean the commutator and check the length of the brushes and the brush springs. If you get a dim light at the starter post then you need to test all of the power cables and the solenoid.
let me know,
Howard