Question about backside method for valve adjustment
 

I did my first valve adjust this past weekend along with tune up items such as spark plugs and filters. When I fired the car up afterwards, I heard the annoying sound of loose valves. Rookie mistake :mad:. I am thinking of opening it up again and using the backside method this time.

1. When checking using the backside method, you have to check from the opposite side of the valve you are adjusting, correct? So, for example, if you are adjusting an exhaust valve would you need to backside check that valve from the engine compartment?

2. I don't want to lose the Brad Penn oil I just put in the car, so I will jack up one side at a time to do 1-3 and then 4-6. When jacking up one side at a time, approximately how much movement is there in the car side to side? I have a one car garage that is somewhat narrow and I wonder if I have enough room to jack up one side at a time.

Yes, check exhaust valves from intake side and vice-versa.

Plan on one to two feet of sideways displacement if you want to make sure not to spill any oil.

It took me 3 attempts with the 'normal' method before I went 'backside'. That sounds weird doesn't it? But I did exactly what you propose & did one side at a time to save oil. And in a one car garage too. Just jack enough for the jackstand. You can reuse your gaskets & nylocks too as long as you didn't tighten them too much.

Ian

On some of the cylinders I could get to them from the adjust-side by bending the shim, but most of the time I did have to go to the other side to get good access. One tip: Push the valves in by hand before trying to get the shims in.

Good luck!

Babak

I found the backside method to be a PITA. Having tried it, I would now only use it if I had the engine out of the car.

I would just clean your oil pan really well or buy a new one, and drain your oil.