Another valve adjustment post...

[Typical Fish]

I FINALLY took the plunge and did it myself, along with a tune-up, oil change, etc. It definitely DOES create a feeling of ownership and pride, I have to tell you, to crank her over and hear her run like a sewing machine. Much thanks to all the tipsters who have posted, and especially to our host as the 101 Projects book was my guide. A few tips for anyone trying it for the first time:

1. Buy 101 Projects and read the section over and over. It will help you mentally to understand the process beforehand. Do the same with this BBS by running a search, I picked up quite a few helpful tips that way.

2. Do not believe anyone who tells you you can get it done in a day. You may, by some sheer stroke of luck, but better to leave yourself the time so that you can take a break when you get frustrated.

3. Adequate lighting is a MUST. Get one of those tubular flourescent worklights; you can put it right where you need it.

4. The first cylinder that you do you will have absolutely NO confidence that you did it the right way or that you will be able to do the others. Just work through it, by the third or fourth cylinder you will get a feel for how to position the feeler guage. Then you can clean up the mess on your second run through the cylinders.

5. To get a feel for how the gauge feels, back off one adjustment screw a significant amount, insert the feeler, and LIGHTLY tighten the adjuster down onto it. Then, you can slightly tighen or loosen it so you can get a feel for the proper tension.

6. Definitely go back and recheck your work. You will be surprised at how "off" you can be the first time around.

Again, thanks to all the people who have posted their experiences, they definitely gave me the confidence to tackle a very intimidating task.

[bell]

another victory...congrats

[jk911]

I share your thoughts and feelings Matt.

I did my first valve adjustment on the weekend.

I have done a lot of work on my car but that was the most satisfying to date ! It was easy too .

How many blades did you bend ? I used 4 . I got a bit excited at the begining !

[Typical Fish]

No broken or bent blades, surprisingly enough. I was so paranoid about dropping something into the recesses of the engine, never to be found again, that I made an extra concerted effort to take it easy. And it was DIFFICULT, considering how frustrating it can be at times; that was why I said in my comments to leave some "walk away and cool down" time. I did lose quite a bit of skin off my knuckes, though...

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by jk911

How many blades did you bend ? I used 4 .

I always hand shake the rocker arm to free any oil bond.

[jk911]

I did mine pretty tight .. it wasn't an easy slide out !

Thats what John Walker recomends.

I didn't want it to be noisy and have to re -do it !

My engine is noisy enough