Valve Adjustment '88 911

[Tobydog61]

So new to me '88 Carrera Cabriolet. I have been researching the valve adjustment process and am thinking it will be one of my winter projects with the car. The car has less than 35,000 miles and very complete service records but from what I can see, the valves may have never been adjusted or it was not recorded. I feel pretty good about my ability to do it, I own air cooled BMW motorcycles so I am fairly familiar but I can see this is a much higher level of complexity.

My question is, does the A/C compressor have to be removed or can this be done with it in place. I read one overview that said to unbolt it and tie it in place, out of the way. Can someone better describe this?

Any other recommendations that I should study up on?

Thanks

Jeff

[proporsche]

get yourself a nice clean double blanket.Remove the 3 bolts on the a/c compressor and move it aside on the right fender..this way there is no damage done.
On the left side remove the pipe to the heat exchangers..2 bolts on the heater motor and one hose clamp.this will give plenty access to do the valve adjustment on top..
there are also many way to do the valve adjustment..mine is like this..mind you i do it for almost 40 years...but if you practice with the feeler gauge you get there....

Ivan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_ypBn_u7g8

[RS America]

Do the Valve Adjustment AFTER you drain the oil.

[Tobydog61]

Just don't think I'd be comfortable moving the compressor on top of the fender. Can you set it on blankets on top of the motor, behind the fan? Will the hoses reach?

[john walker's workshop]

Lift the compressor up and swing it over on top of the engine.

[DWeg1998]

What John said. Put your location in your signature and maybe someone will stop by and check on your work

[fanaudical]

You might take a look at the Snap Gap valve adjustment kit...

[proporsche]

Originally Posted by Tobydog61

Just don't think I'd be comfortable moving the compressor on top of the fender. Can you set it on blankets on top of the motor, behind the fan? Will the hoses reach?

yah..even-thou i never had problem with the compressor placed on fender - back in the days i had an official rear fenders cover where the right side was harder for placing the compressor on it.I just like the room when you do the 456 valve adjustments, do not have to lean over the compressor............................do as John said it might be safer for you;-)

Ivan

[proporsche]

this cover..looks like it is still available..

[Tobydog61]

I am just outside Grand Rapids Mi. I am seriously considering Snapgap. I think it looks like a foolproof way of setting the valve gap with such poor access. On the bench I won’t hesitate to use the feeler gage but in the car….? I may look at a cover like that, original paint is only original once.

[hcoles]

The rear service cover is a must have.
I have one. Buy one here...
https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/BE002BC.htm?pn=BE002BC

[motorstereo]

Heidi & Franny have a decent overview of the process on their YouTube channel, it’s worth watching.
https://youtu.be/6ciw3mDjz0k

What model BMWs do you have? The 70s airheads are my favorites.

[OldSpool87]

Originally Posted by fanaudical

You might take a look at the Snap Gap valve adjustment kit...

This.

[Reiver]

I've done them both ways and prefer the snap gap...no messing about.

[ahh911]

It took me 4 in car adjustments to get the time down to something reasonable. This is how I do it with feeler gauge now:

1. I sketch the position of the valve adjustment screw for the cylinder I'm on firstly.
2. Then I'll try and fit the feeler gauge, if it doesn't go in fairly quickly I stop (this is the time waster otherwise).
3. I'll loosen the nut and unscrew by a turn and pull up pretty hard on the rocker, sometimes it seems like it sticks.
4. Then slip in the feeler gauge.
5. Tighten the adjuster by hand till it toucher the feeler, the adjuster is roughly back where it was before you started. We know that one turn of the adjuster is 1mm, so you can judge the adjustment needed.
6. Try feeler.
7. Tighten with feeler still in.
8. Try feeler while it's still in.

Since it's tough to see, I use the endoscope to see the feeler is sitting correctly and all the way across before moving to the next cylinder. With experience I doubt this will be needed.
End.

[Hotshot]

I did a write up on doing mine last year. Search my name. I used the Stomski tool and a quick jack.

No leaks on the covers and all good 5000km after.

I put a towel on the manifold and moved the comp there. No bigggie.

How my Valve lash job led to my exhaust, and how awesome Mag Induction works on rust

[Locker537]

It's a fiddly process and certainly a bit intimidating the first time, but I think it's a rite of passage if you want to work on these cars.

I tried a bunch of different methods, but the original feeler gauge between the rocker and valve is the best in my opinion.

I ended up purchasing a couple different stubby flat head screwdrivers and sorting through a few different box end wrenches. Some combos work better than others.

[john walker's workshop]

YUP, suggest learning the real way first. Get jiggy later when you have the concept sorted. Not that hard really.

[Tobydog61]

Originally Posted by motorstereo

Heidi & Franny have a decent overview of the process on their YouTube channel, it’s worth watching.
https://youtu.be/6ciw3mDjz0k

What model BMWs do you have? The 70s airheads are my favorites.

I’m a big /2 fan. I have a ‘65 R50/2 in Dover white and a ‘68 R69S. Both low mileage original paint. Great bikes.

[Locker537]

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

YUP, suggest learning the real way first. Get jiggy later when you have the concept sorted. Not that hard really.

You were a great help when I did my first valve adjustment.

Now if I could only find one of those old school feeler gauge holders...