When should the valve tappets be removed in the engine removal process?

Removing valve tappets is a critical part of the engine disassembly process, and timing is essential to ensure that the engine is properly prepared for inspection, cleaning, or reassembly. The valve tappets are typically removed after the camshaft has been taken out. This is because the tappets are closely associated with the camshaft and rely on it for their operation.

When you remove the camshaft, you free up the tappets from their seated positions. If you were to remove the tappets before the camshaft, you might face complications, as they could be held in place by the cam lobes. Additionally, removing the camshaft first ensures that the tappets do not get damaged during the disassembly process.

By conducting the removal of tappets after the camshaft, you also facilitate better access to the engine components and maintain organizational clarity regarding the order of disassembly. This method helps prevent misplacement of parts and decreases the risk of damage to both the tappets and the camshaft itself.