Valve adjustment Process

[jhoagg]

I am probably stating the obvious here, but just in case it hasn't occurred to someone and might help:

I wanted to adjust my valves but not drain any of my clean (and expensive) Mobil 1. I jacked up one side of the car to drain any oil in the lower valve cover area back through the return tubes. No oil loss at all when I took the lower cover off. This also put the car at a nice working height for the job. When finished with the first side, I jacked up the other side and did that side. I sorta liked working on one side at a time - the only disadvantage was having to turn the engine over a few extra times.

[Mike Kast]

I have never adjusted valves and I'm trying to figure it out. I have a few questions and I remember when someone was talking about doing the valves without draining the oil at some point. You couldn't really double check your adjustments when you were done though right?

[Zeke]

Originally posted by Mike Kast
You couldn't really double check your adjustments when you were done though right?

Why not? If you want to double check your adjusment, spin the crank two revoutions (for the valve you started with) and stick the feeler gauge in there again. Should feel just like it did before turning crank. Follow the ame sequence you followed to get to TDC on each clyinder and recheck if you wish.

[Mike Kast]

Well, my thinking was you would have to put the covers back on when you went from one side to the other so the oil wouldn't spill out. To double check you would have to go all around twice valve covers off and on twice. it seems easier to drain the oil. I thought what I read in the book was adjust them all, then double check them all. Is that a bit of overkill? I have no practical experience so I'm just trying to think it through. If this is a good way to go I'd like to leave my oil too. But being my first time I'm thinking I should stick to the book.

[diy83sc]

jhoagg, how high did you have to jack up the car?

[jhoagg]

DIY83,
It's hard to say exactly, but I think at least 6" - and 8" would do it for sure. As long as those return tubes are pointing at a slight down angle back into the case, you should get no oil out the lower cover. I jacked up one side of the car only - to get a real angle (used a jack plate in the rocker jack tube).
Mike,
I double-checked mine: you just go totally through (twice) one side at a time. But I relate to sticking to the book - valve adjustment is a real job for those of us who haven't done it much. I found getting that little tool into the just the right place can take some time. The upper valves (intake) seem hardest because you can't see what you are doing with the tool. The lower (exhaust) seem much easier since you actually can see where you are putting the tool. Jeff

[Mike Kast]

how far out of adjustment do the valves get? I think mine are a little noisy but it's hard to tell being I have a test pipe to a flowmaster duel out. I swear that flowmaster muffler is just a hollow can. My point is I can hardly hear my motor. I'm not sure if I am hearing an engine tick or if its just normal when you have virtually no silencing on the exhaust. Anyway I should just order the stuff and do it. I'll have to do it sometime and now is as good a time as any...

[MY83SC]

Good thread....I am about to do my first valve adjustment on my own. I have the valve adjustment tool, extra blades, new valve cover gaskets etc. I am curious as to how often should the valves be adjusted and how far out of adjustment do they get. I have been having them adjusted every other oil change. About 5,000 mile intervals. Thanks!

[jhoagg]

Mike(s),
I'm no expert on this, but I think every 5K is overkill. If they have been properly adjusted (unless something definitely is wrong) I'd be surprised if more often than every 10K is necessary for a street car with normal use. I also believe that absent a specific problem, they really don't get very far out of adjustment in 10K (at least for cars with street use in a lower to mid mileage engine in good shape).

[Mike Kast]

I'm always quoting the book... I wonder if wayne minds? In a year or so if you sort through my posts you won't have to buy the book! It would be easier to buy the book!
10,000 miles on later models 78 and on, 6,000 miles for pre 78 cars

[MY83SC]

Thanks Mike! That's exactly why I have been printing everyone of your posts. Waynes book is a "must have" and now that I am working, again, I will soon be ordering my very own copy.