Tightness of retaining nut on valve adjusting screw?

[5495bb]

I'm working through my first valve adjustment and find that the retaining nuts on the adjusting screws are super tight. I can't loosen them with just a regular 13mm combination wrench. I have to use a pretty long handled 3/8 driver. That seems way too tight to me. Does anyone have a torque setting for the nuts or any other suggestions? The previous work was done by a very well respected shop and all of the nuts are in good shape. Thanks for your help.

[Dpmulvan]

I believe it’s around 18ft lbs but I doubt anyone uses a torque wrench, just tighten them up good with a small box end wrench.

[stownsen914]

It's common for people to overtighten them unfortunately. And distort the threads on the elephants foot adjuster.

[john walker's workshop]

[Jeff Alton]

Yep, see this all the time! Rounded off nuts, tight threads from too much stretch/distortion.

Cheers

[mike sampsel]

Originally Posted by 5495bb

I'm working through my first valve adjustment and find that the retaining nuts on the adjusting. Does anyone have a torque setting for the nuts or any other suggestions? The previous work was done by a very well respected shop and all of the nuts are in good shape. Thanks for your help.

I just use a small 13 mm wrench (6- 8 inches long), as such (I'm not a gorilla) I can get them snug enough and not too tight. You can use a stubby wrench and never get it too tight.

[Fixer]

Any red locktite on them?

My wife overtightens everything lol

[5495bb]

Thanks you guys. The job is finished now but I had to use a 10 1/2" long 3/8 driver to get all the lock nuts loose. I tightened them pretty well with a 6" long box end. Save for the usual gap drift when tightening the nuts I didn't have any difficulties. What are the indications that the threads on the elephant foot have been damaged?

[dannobee]

It'll distort the threads. If you run the adjuster screw all the way up, the nut should smoothly turn all the way down. If it stops, the threads have been damaged.

[David Inc.]

Originally Posted by dannobee

It'll distort the threads. If you run the adjuster screw all the way up, the nut should smoothly turn all the way down. If it stops, the threads have been damaged.

Yeah man, and this sucks. I redid my cams and rockers a couple years back and so many of the adjuster threads were absolutely junk. I was able to get most of them off but I think the rebuilder had to cut one off of the rocker.

[brighton911]

No need for Loctite, correct torque on the lock nut and you are good to go. Also, unless all the oil was cleaned off both threads, it wouldn't do anything.

[5495bb]

Darn, I didn't do this test but I will next time I'm in there. Thanks again.

[QUOTE] It'll distort the threads. If you run the adjuster screw all the way up, the nut should smoothly turn all the way down. If it stops, the threads have been damaged

[PeteKz]

Has anyone seen the adjuster locknuts come loose? From what I can gather, it's pretty rare.