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I have a neighbors harbor freight wood chipper that I am taking a look at. I took of the head and noticed a part on the ground. It appears to be a single valve cap that goes under the rocker arm. I only saw one. Anyone know of these motors for some reason might only have one? If I need two does anyone know where these can be purchased? Thanks to all who take the time to read this!

I put the cap on the valve on he right

We need the engine plate or sticker data (It is on the engine itself) so we can look up the parts exploded view. Just from what your picture shows, there should be a cap on each valve stem.

Thanks. Do you know how/where I could get a second one

I just found an old online manual and it looks like they call it a valve helmet #9 and according to the picture it’s on the exhaust so I need to swap it to the other valve. The picture and parts don’t show any helmet on the intake.

Go to Parts Tree or Jack's Small Engine and use the engine family number in the top left corner of the label.

Look at the base of the block for any dot printed numbers in the aluminum, that may also help.

Predator engines can be a little tricky to find parts for and it will take some research on your part.

It is a clone of a Honda GX160.

When I randomly checked Honda GX160, they only show 1 valve rotor cap on the exhaust valve (not all engines had that), so I don't know if a second one is needed for your engine.

With the push rods in place, try to adjust the valve lash, the turn the motor over slowly to see if the rocker arm has enough clearance from the valve spring top retainer. lash is .005 thousandth inch for intake and .007 thousandth inch for the exhaust.

Here is a Teryl Fixes All video that may help you. Go to the 53-minute time stamp on the video.

Just a hint.
I've used the whole valve train from Honda engines in the predator engines.
Valves, springs the whole works from Salvage yard Honda's.

The Honda engines valve train is not as WIMPY as the China chinko Predator engines. I installed the valves into the Predator heads. Did not try using a complete Honda head onto a Predator engine.
Did not even have to lap the valves. direct fit.

Just how can they rotate the valve when even pressure is applied. To me they would more like wear prevention caps to prevent the valve stem being mushroomed and to just give clearance of the spring retaining caps as you look at the tip of the valve stem it it even with a spring cap. It also for making valve stem are pushed down evenly instead the rocker arm pushing again the spring cap putting a side load on the valve stems thus wearing sideways the valve guides.

StarTech said:

Just how can they rotate the valve when even pressure is applied. To me they would more like wear prevention caps to prevent the valve stem being mushroomed and to just give clearance of the spring retaining caps as you look at the tip of the valve stem it it even with a spring cap. It also for making valve stem are pushed down evenly instead the rocker arm pushing again the spring cap putting a side load on the valve stems thus wearing sideways the valve guides.

Click to expand...

Thanks StarTech,

I deleted that reply. It was too early, and my memory recall is not what is used to.

Like you mentioned, those caps are to better spread the force of the rocker and reduce valve guide side wear.

Valve rotors that sit directly on top of the valve spring do exist, but they were used in larger engines.