89 911 valve adjustment

[cleaners]

HELP!!!!!!!!! I'm trying to adjust the valves on my 89 911. I couldn't get the feeler gauge to slide in, so I adjusted the screw out, now I slid the gauge in and readjusted the screw and locking nut back down. The gauge will slide with some resistance. The problem is when I go back to recheck the setting, like all the books say to, I can't get the gauge to slide back in without bending the crap out of it. And, this is only cylinder number one, which I can still slightly see what the heck I'm doing. I'm scared to go on to number 6. Any advice, Thanks

[ubiquity0]

I have never been able to do that either. I find if I adjust for moderate drag on the feeler gauge then I just can't consistently 'find' the gap to slide the gauge back in. I find if I keep the blade in when tightening the locknut things generally work out ok. If you can remove the gauge you know its not too tight.

[john walker's workshop]

patience, grasshopper.

[toolman]

Try to feel where the elephants foot is and slide the gauge down to the gap. It will have some resistance if the gap is close as it should be. Keep telling yourself you can do this! Confidence!!

[john walker's workshop]

go all the way down to the spring retainer, then slowly lift the gauge back up until you feel a click. that's where the gap is. you can do it with your eyes closed. rotate the gauge tip around the "gap" and it will eventually go in. too loose and it slips in, a tad too tight and it just starts into the gap and requires too much effort to go any further. just right, and it requires a slight back and forth twisting motion, like three twists, to go in and go out. if it slips in or out, it's still too loose.

[RoninLB]

I think guys may have trouble inserting the blade 'cause the rocker is leaning down on the valve tip and they don't check to make sure the rocker is spaced before inserting the blade.

only speculation.

[cleaners]

Thanks for everyone's help