Valve adjustment done at 180* off - did I hurt anything?

[Christien]

While swapping engines, I adjusted the valves of the replacement engine before putting it in the car. After installing the engine, when I tried to start the car, I realized the distributor rotor was 180 degrees off, hence the no-start. I fixed it and the car started fine, ran well, etc. It was really noisy - it sounded like a diesel truck, but at first I figured it was just the larger motor. Then after a day or 2 realized I had adjusted the valves with them in the wrong position, because the rotor was 180* off. I readjusted them today, and they were all way too loose, of course. When finished, I started the engine and it sounded much more normal.

Is it possible I damaged anything? I only drove about 100 km - home from the shop where I had the exhaust fixed, then just a few trips around town. No redlining, or anything like that.

I definitely feel stupid - I've adjust valves several times before, and I should know to check the rotor on the dizzy before starting. I have no idea why I didn't do it this time. Lesson learned!

[flat6pilot]

Too loose is better then too tight.

If anything, you probably lost a bit of power with it was adjusted on the loose side.

[Christien]

Because if they're too tight, you could have some contact with the piston, correct? Which would only occur at or above redline?

[fred cook]

too tight could cause an exhaust leak that would burn the valve.

[Christien]

So I should be fine, right?

That's a relief!

[rickybbear]

yes, loose is better than tight, ditto on "6" and Fred's posts. check valves again, after 100km. to be sure nothing changes. enjoy, Erik.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by Christien

Because if they're too tight, you could have some contact with the piston, correct? Which would only occur at or above redline?

Not an expert, but "No" redline has nothing to do with it. Valve strike is a mechanical thing and will happen at 600 RPM, or 6,000 RPM. In other words, if you didn't punch a hole in a piston with a valve, you're probably OK. This is coming from a person whose experience is with British Trash. But it should be the same.

[Christien]

Well, all seemed fine driving around today, both in the city and on the highway. About 10% of the volume There's still some ticking from the valves, even at full temperature, which is a bit frustrating, but not the end of the world. As an added bonus, I cleaned the valve cover mating surfaces really well and applied sealant to the gaskets. The engine came with the black brittle silicone ones, which had broken in 2 places on the left side, resulting in a ton of leakage. (orange silicone ones are on the way from PP). With the cleaning and additional sealant, my car is once again continent! Actually, I haven't had this little drippage in years! Only 2 small drops overnight, and those could have just been from the oil that was on the exhaust pipes after I took the lower covers off.

[jpnovak]

You did no harm to the motor. If you adjusted valves 180 out you would have adjusted them when at TDC overlap. This just means you opened the valve clearance even more than the stock spec. Other than reducing the total valve lift, and its resulting reduced duration I am sure you did no harm.

Just adjust them correctly and enjoy the new motor in the 72.

[flat6pilot]

I see you rebuilt the motor.

Probably just an adjustment thing but, the ticking could be a worn guide or two?? But I'm sure you rebuilt the heads too?

I'm speculating, but the ticking could be the valve stem slapping against a loose/out-of-tolerance guide.(?) Not too serious but something to keep an ear on if the heads were not refreshed.

The pro's will straighten my answer out if I'm wrong....

[Christien]

I didn't rebuild it - not sure where you got that from. I just installed it - it's a transplant engine I bought. 154k miles on it, but very good compression/leakdown #s.