adjusting valves

[dmcummins]

I need to adjust my valves. There is some definate ticking going on the passenger side. I have the 101 book, valve cover gaskets, and the feeler gauge.

My question is when I get to z1 one or four is at TDC. Then Im supposed to check the distributor. I don't have a distributor. Will the rockers be loose if im on the right cylinder?

[Early_S_Man]

Yes, you got it!

[AFJuvat]

On properly adjusted valves, yes, the rockers should be slightly loose at TDC.

I realize that answer is pretty useless since you are trying to adjust them. When the cylinder is at TDC, the lobe of the camshaft should be pointing right at center of the cam housing.

Other clues: Z1 on the top crankshaft pulley, and you should have a punch mark or a number on the end of the camshaft right above the cam bolt hole.

AFJuvat

[dmcummins]

Thanks guys. It's a first for me. Hopefully I'll get it when I pull the valve covers and get in there. The ticking is definatly comming from 4,5,or 6. So I'll assume 1 is not to far off and go from there.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by dmcummins
......I don't have a distributor.

You have electronic ignition or the distributor is not in yet? I think I'd put the dist in if you use one. Then you know where you are. Most of us go thru the valves more than once checking. The dizzy gives a good map.

[dmcummins]

I have the distributorless ignitinon. I wonder how it knows when to fire? There is a toothed wheel and some kind of sensor where the distributor is. I wonder if their is a mark of some kind there?

[Mike Kast]

I had a mechanic tell me if you can't hear any ticking the valves are too tight. I think that is on the cautious side but don't expect to silence your engine. The reason the valves need adjusting every 10,000 miles pre SC and every 15,000 miles for the SC's and up is because at that point wear has caused them to go out and they all need to be tightened down a bit. So, even if you get it perfectly quite in a few thousand miles it will start sounding again. I don't think you want to do it more often than necessary.
How far off am I in my thinking guys? What is it that actually causes them to go out? The springs loosing tension?

[dmcummins]

I'm sure your right but I got the car in December and I'm just going through everything so I know where I'm at. I have been painting and replacing the interior. I just got the windows in so Im just now getting to drive it. Im on vacation this week so I plan on replacing the fuel pump, changing the oil, and adjust the valves.

[Mike Kast]

Originally posted by dmcummins
I'm sure your right but I got the car in December and I'm just going through everything so I know where I'm at.

I did the same thing and I think I was thinking the same thoughts you were, that's why I said it. I had it in my head that the motor should be quiet. If you have a 72 I bet your due anyway.
I ended up doing mine twice cause I wasn't happy with the first adjustment. The second one was much quieter. It's tricky but the only way to learn is by doing it. And your doing it man
Porsche-Trial by fire!

[RarlyL8]

So just when do you decide a valve adjustment is in order?
The valve train is suposed to be noisy. How noisy is too noisy and what are the consequences for having "loose" valves?

[Mike Kast]

the book says every 15,000 miles on an SC. So my question to your question is if you did it every 5000 miles to keep your motor just as quiet as can be. would you be doing more harm than good? I really don't know. I was hoping some of the real super geniuses would chime in. And anyway Mr. Crochety Ol Bastard with your 2765 posts, I think your trying to set me up! what do you think about it? You gotta know more than me.
edit: OH MY GOD MY 911th POST!

[ZOA NOM]

Congratulations, Mike!!!!!

[dhoward]

Originally posted by dmcummins
Thanks guys. It's a first for me. Hopefully I'll get it when I pull the valve covers and get in there. The ticking is definatly comming from 4,5,or 6. So I'll assume 1 is not to far off and go from there.

It's a pretty loud ticking....
Mark also has an electromotive type ignition.
Engine sounds sweet wound up....
Taking the week off? You dog! I'll try to get out there this week....

[dmcummins]

Well this is probably not good. I pulled the lower valve cover off and the swivel thing on the bottom of the adjuster screw was laying in the valve cover.

[dhoward]

Thank goodness. As loud as the ticking was, I thought it might be something worse. Does the end of the valve look ok? Does the rocker look broken?

[dmcummins]

The rocker looks fine. So does the bottom of the valve. I guess I'll pull the sump and clean it out and try and find another adjusting screw. I guess its better that a bearing going out.

[dhoward]

German Automotive Specialties in Crestwood.
314-963-9911

[RarlyL8]

2768 posts just means I have a lot of questions and advice.
Don't mean any of it's worth a damn.

The question is legitimate. How noisy is too noisy? I have a newly rebuilt engine in my car. The valves were adjusted "loose" initially. I'm trying to determine if the re-adjustment should be "sometime this summer" or "NOW!". All I have to go on is that the valve train is more noisy than my old SC engine.

[toolman]

Valves should be re-adjusted about 500 miles after a rebuild as the valves could "seat in" a little and make things a little different than spec.

[dmcummins]

Well I got everything back together. So far so good. Thanks everyone.