Yet Another Valve Adjustment Tool (DIY)

[tbitz]

Time came to adjust my valves and guess what I didn't have valve adjustment tool. I decided to make my own.

The problem with other valve adjustment tools is that the feeler gauge isn't the lowest part of the tool. There is usually some screw below the feeler metal or something else. This then requires the feeler metal to be bent at a specific angle to get it in the gap. This bending eventually causes the feeler metal to crack.

I though how could I make a valve adjustment tool, such that the feeler gauge is the lowest part of the tool.

Here is what I came up with:



I went to the local parts store and picked up a feeler gauge set. Amongst others it includes a 0.003", 0.004" and 0.005" thickness.

The length of each is long enough to make three valve adjustment tools. The metal is cut with sharp tin snips.

I bent a piece of aluminum as shown for the handle, and glued the feeler metal to the bottom using some JB Weld. Let is cure overnight, and also heat cured at 150F in the kitchen oven for further strength.

I made gauges of 3, 4 and 5 mils thick. This way I check that the 3mils is loose, the 4 mils has that "magnetic slide" feeling, and the 5 mils is tight or doesn't fit. I scratch the thickness on each tool, cause the all look the same. Next time I will put some colored tape on each size to quickly pickout the proper tool.

No bending of the feeler metal was required. It slipped right in the valve gap.

I made three of each thinking they wouldn't hold up, but the JB weld held up fairly well. I only ended up snaping one off. The two surfaces were well prepaired before glueing.

An even better way to make it would be to make the handle out of stainless steel and spot weld the feeler gauge in place. Not sure if the heat from the spot weld would warp the feeler gauge though.

Cheers,

[Elombard]

Tony have you tried the "backside of the lobe method"? I have not but it sounds like a much better way to go. Any thoughts?