Setting valves on US A

Can someone please give me step by step directions for setting the valves on an unstyled A? I have done it according to the operators manual but it?s not running right. Thanks for any help, Mark

The operators manual about covers it. I would just be sure that the piston is at TDC with a curved copper wire through the spark plug hole to feel the place where it's "dead". Check all the springs real good to be sure none are broken or displaced. I don't have an op manual for an unstyled, but I'm presuming that it has both the feeler gauge method and the turn of the wrench method. Sometimes the rocker arms get pitted over time and a feeler will give an inaccurate reading. Either way, zero clearance is indicated when you can no longer turn the pushrod with your fingers. Be sure the engine is hot. Not 30 minutes at full throttle hot, but radiator-covered-and-steaming hot. To check (farmer style) for a leaking exhaust valve, remove the muffler and lay a a dollar bill over the exhaust pipe. Have someone pull it through (ignition grounded!) and see if at any point the bill tends to be sucked into the pipe rather than blown out. If so, an exhaust valve is bad.

I'd sure be sure the ignition and carb were A-1 before pulling the head and digging into the cam, followers, excessive timing gear wear etc. The unstyled A's have a charm of their own. I hope you gets yours running good.

If you suspect a valve issue you very well could have one , but could be the usual LH side cam bearing is worn out ? Real easy to inspect on the unstyled A because the 2 bolt bearing cap is right there in the open upper LH side by flywheel. If the left is bad the right may not be good either , but I have got several A models back up and running decent by changing the LH bearing.