Are there any Phoenecians who are experienced valve adjusters?

[LeeH]

I just made an appointment at Don Jackson's to get my valves adjusted and an oil and filter change. With tax it's going to be right at $400.00.

Here's the problem. I have a mental condition called screw-up-my-Porsche-phobia that prevents me from undertaking such a procedure myself without some serious hand holding. Screw-up-my-Porsche-phobia is in serious conflict with my other mental condition... tightwadass-maximus. The doctors say there is no cure.

Is there anybody here in Phoenix that is ready, willing, and able to help/guide/assist if I try this myself? I'd be more than happy to compensate such a person with food, alcohol, cash, etc. Not to mention, of course, you'd be my best friend for life. Anybody???

[axl911]

Screwing up your first valve adjustment is a passage.

Finally getting the adjustment after X tries, is the test of a 911 valve adjuster.

I haven't passed yet. My valve cover still leaks.

[Stuttgart951]

You guys are NOT improving my confidence level.

Someone post how easy it is. Mine's coming up.

[AirCooledExcellence]

Allright Stuttgart, ITS EASY!!!

There's an excellent tech article on this site, print it out and follow it to the letter and you'll be fine.

I was very nervous about my first one but it's a great feeling when you fire up the engine and it doesn't sound like a typewriter anymore!

Go on, you can do it

Cheers

[Decolliber]

Wait a minute, Phoenicia was in present day Lebanon. Don't you mean to say Phoenixians?
Seriously, there is no reason to pay anyone $400 to change oil and adjust valves. If you are worried that you might screw up, just err on the side of looseness, go around several times and recheck everything, and follow the instructions in Bentley and/or Wayne's 101 book. In addition to all the other advice, hgave a magnetic wand handy to fish out a broken feeler blade.

[LeeH]

If a 5 star resort says it's Phoenician...
http://www.thephoenician.com

Yeah, I know there's that sense of pride when you're done, but there's that sense of "What have I gotten myself in to?" while in the middle of the project! I keep having flashbacks to little cosmetic projects like refinishing the Targa bar and painting my center caps. Both took way longer than they should have - fish eyes on the Targa bar and enamel vs lacquer problems on the center caps. I guess the memories of the big frustrations with little projects have me a bit hesitant to start working on my valves.

[Jim Sims]

I think there's a guy down in Tyre that can do it and he's good at recaulking galleys too. Jim

[JR911]

Lee,

I would be glad to help you with your valve adjustment.

We would have to do it on a Sat/Sun.

Only thing is I'm swamped with work right now....how soon did you need to do it?

[Thomas Owen]

Very straightforward-
1. Either you will change oil or not
a. if not, jack car up on one side and adjust valves on that side. Lower car and raise other side and adjust valves.
b. if changing oil then drain it and remove all the valve covers.
2. Have plenty of replacement blades handy for your gauge. You will tear up blades at first and then when your clearances are too tight.
3. ALWAYS use some blue loctite on the two small fastners on the feeler gauge. If not, you will spend hours trying to find the little nuts inside the head...
My suggestion - drain all oil, remove all covers, loctite the fastners, and take your time. It may take you longer to do than you planned, but every time afterwards will see a time reduction.

[Joeaksa]

Lee,

Its not the easiest thing to do but its not that difficult either. Just did it on my car and while I did say a few words that I would not say in church whilst trying to get to the intake valves, its not as bad as exhaust work or rear torsion bars!

We could do a weekend get together with several people and do the car. I am trying to get one of "Island911s" special valve adjustment tool right now and if I can this will help a lot as well.

We could even put it on the "tilter" and make it easy to get to!

Joe

[AZ1977911]

I'd love to join you guys if timing works out. I'll bring some refreshment.

[LeeH]

Originally posted by JR911
Only thing is I'm swamped with work right now....how soon did you need to do it?

I guess it's the fact that the car is past due for an oil change that has me wanting to get it all done soon. I have no idea when the valves were done last. The book was stamped for a service at 31K miles and again at 55K. Hopefully the valves were adjusted at the last service. The car currently has 87K miles.

I really need to make a decision before the end of today since I have an appointment to drop the car at DJ's on Monday. My wife's schedule worked out that she's off for the next six days so she can help me drop off and retrieve the car from the shop. A valve adjusting party sounds like fun assuming the cost of pizza and beer didn't exceed the cost of the service from Don Jackson! Another glitch is that my wife will be working weekends (other than this one) for the month of March. That means I'd be juggling a 2 year old solo on the weekends.

The first time I did my valves they were all uniformly loose, therefore noisy. I rectified this last weekend, as the engine is currently out. Its actually alot of fun when you can see what you're doing! My method this time was to leave the feeler gauge in, tighten down until there is no rocking w/ feeler gauge in-place, snug the locknut, then verify its not too tight when sliding out the gauge (some resistance- but shouldn't have to 'yank' it out). It'll definitely be easier next time.

Good luck