Sighs.... google  'how many turns needed for m12 x 1.5 pitch'

@steveash
To totally misquote a lager ad:
That might be the best offer you get this week.

@ Alex Knight.
That's brilliant info.
Hmm now really thinking about to go for ET35.
Just a quick question. Are you using extended wheel studs?

Quote from: Craigjm on Today at 00:50If it's the valve clearance the ticking will rise with the revs and be always present. It could be many things before that such as a cracked manifold, pre ignition or a low oil level are more likely

I'm sorry but you are incorrect in saying the other possibilities are more likely.  They are possibilities yes, but noisy valves are ubiquitous on a 1ZZ, (to the point that many think 1ZZs are just 'noisy engines').  A cracked manifold would also rise in frequency with the revs.  I've never come across a case of pre-ignition on one of our cars.

There is a 'how to' on setting the valve clearances https://www.mr2roc.org/index.php?topic=65009.0.  I've done quite a few members' cars.  @Ardent did his at our workshop under our guidance and @shnazzle and I did his in the car park at the Holt Hotel at a club gathering.

I have the club 'bucket bank'. (The fact that we have club 'bucket bank' lets you know how common this is.)  Let me know which buckets you require and I'll supply them (or as close as makes no difference) if they are in the bank.

@steveash :  Use a long screwdriver or a bit of wood as a stethoscope and put it to your ear and the cam cover.  You'll know for certain then. If you like, you can do the job by bringing your car here and I'll supervise and provide the tools.  You'll need to bring an OEM quality cam cover gasket.

Quote from: Craigjm on Today at 00:45I wouldn't bother personally it's too low down to be useful as a CarPlay unit location

I do kinda agree, but I found that my phone was getting warm and screen dimming so when hood down could hardly see sat nav.

So I checked out loads of units and bought the Pioneer as it has actual physical buttons on it for volume & main functions. I then use sat nav with volume on & have CarPlay screen in split mode so I can easily skip tracks.

Now if I could find a stalk for the column that would work with the Pioneer that would be just brilliant!

If it's the valve clearance the ticking will rise with the revs and be always present. It could be many things before that such as a cracked manifold, pre ignition or a low oil level are more likely

I wouldn't bother personally it's too low down to be useful as a CarPlay unit location

If it is what you think, then the mechanics are comparatively straight forward.

The issue is more likely to be sourcing the required buckets.

Buckets not shims.

My engine makes a mild ticking noise at times particularly when loaded. I'm hardly an expert but my thinking is this is valve clearances. It's been there for a while but more noticeable now I have the hardtop off. If my amateur diagnosis is correct, is it something an average garage can deal with or should I find someone more specialist? And am I doing it much damage running it like this?

I run 15x7 Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 with an offset of ET35.

205/50 rear
195/50 front

Zero issues and look much better than ET41 IMHO.