First valve adjust complete!

michaelw · michaelw's Garage

No need to post a reply, but I am patting myself on the back for completing my first valve adjustment. Engine sounds a bit better, but now I know how to get in there and adjust.

It was a bit intimidating at first, but once you understand how it all works it was really quite easy. Hardest part was getting the feeler guage into the gap to adjust. Some had to be loosened 1st. Total time to stumble through was about 8 hours. Next time I'm planning on about 3-4 hours. Most of the time was spent trying to figure out what to remove to make adjustment easier and figuring out which valve I was really on.

Anyone w/trepidation, just do it. My mechanical ability is about 3 on a 10 scale and like I said once I figured out what I was doing it was quite easy. Now to isolate the few tappers that are left.

Michael
87 Targa

Targa77 · Targa77's Garage

I knew that you could do it guy.

MotoSook · 08-22-2002, 05:52 PM

michealw,

Good jobby dude. Now can you tell me all the tools and parts I'll need and any tips. I need to fix that sewing machine that's in my engine bay. I'm going to attempt this for the first time.

Souk

michaelw · michaelw's Garage

Souk:

Download Wayne's tech article on valve adjustments and/or buy his book. Everything you'll need is listed. Good luck!

Michael

MotoSook · 08-22-2002, 06:18 PM

Got it all, but thought I'd probe for any thing that a first timer may have run into.

Thanks,

Souk

Bill Douglas · 08-22-2002, 06:24 PM

Congradualtions.

Actually I failed my first valve adjustment two weeks ago.

Bill '79SC

michaelw · michaelw's Garage

Bill:

Let me explain success. Engine back together and running with no new oil looks and valves no worse. Success is that a couple definitely seem more quiet.

Souk:
The best helper I had in the garage was the sticker on the right side of the engine bay that shows the firing order and where each valve is located. This coupled with checking the distributor to see which bank of valves you are currently resting on, was invaluable.

Michael
"Fear the Turtle and the 87 Targa"

MotoSook · 08-22-2002, 06:33 PM

I'll report back once completed, thanks.

Wil Ferch · 08-23-2002, 04:28 AM

Factod:
---Instead of turning the crank at 120 degree intervals...you can turn the crank at 240 degree intervals...and stay on the "same-side" of the engine when doing this...instead of jumping back and forth each time....
--Wil Ferch

Wayne 962 · Wayne 962's Garage

The 240 thing works, but has a tendency to be more confusing for the first timer. 120 degrees is indicated by the notch on the crank pulley...

-Wayne

Wil Ferch · 08-23-2002, 07:23 AM

Wayne:
Perhaps...but I would think not any more confusing than jumping back and forth between the engine banks and remembering "which" last cylinder you "just" did...hmm?
--Just a thought ...
Wil Ferch

island911 · 08-23-2002, 08:07 AM

I've got to agree with Wil on this.
Additionally, to make the job easier, if you have one side of the car lifted, you can turn the engine (to see/find the off-lobe cam possition) by turning the lifted rear wheel. (assuming no limited slip; put in 4th or 5th gear)
Also this "120 - 240 angle" talk makes the job rather intimidating for some. When one reallizes that you can to adjust the rocker as long as it sits anywhere the low (round) part of the cam lobe, life gets much easier.