valve adjustment - immediate help!!

[Sunroof]

I worked all night to prep the car for the valve adjustment this morning, and here I am with a major dilemma and in need of immediate advise.

When I adjusted my valves beofre I paid no attention to the distributor/rotor configuration, only the Z1 alignment for cylinder 1.

Well a few moments ago, as I rotated to the Z1 mark, I did notice that the rotor button (6500 rpm buster type) contact was in the opposite direction of the mark on the distributor housing!!!! Whats remarkable here is that the car ran wonderfully for 10,000 miles with everything in tune. WHAT HAPPENED?

The rotor button fits only one way and the slot in the distributor where the rotor button attaches to is opposite the hatch mark for TDC.

Interestingly, the exhaust valve is just so slightly loose. Intake is tight. Whats happening here? I have the updated Bosch distibutor and never, ever played with it for years. I am stunned!!

Can someone please advise on where to proceed from here.

Thanks
Bob
73.5T

[marcesq]

Bob:

I believe that what you are seeing is the #4 cylinder at TDC. 1 & 4 share the Z1 mark. If you rotate the engine 360 and the #1 valves are not both loose, I'm out of answers.

[rfix'n]

You will be on the Z1 mark for both the number one and four cylinders. Start with the dizzy on its mark and on z1, this is #1, then rotate 120 degrees - #5, another 120 degrees and your on #2. Next 120 degrees takes you back to z1 but the dizzy will be on #4.

Takes two full rotations to return to the same cylinder.

[island911]

I never look at the dist marks when adjusting the valves. It's too much of a pain, and not needed. Cams are precision ground. What this means is the rocker simply needs to be off the lobe portion of the cam profile. If you happen to adjust it when it's on the lobe portion; when you start the motor, that adjustment will be very loose and noisy.
Re-adjust the valves. This time, watch the rockers move as you turn the crank. Also, wiggle (rock) the rocker before cracking it loose for adjustment. The gap should be noticable. Get a feel for what's going with the valve-train. It will make adjustments that much easier in the future.

[speeder]

4 cycle engine= crankshaft rotates twice for each complete cycle on each cylinder. Car ran fine because there is nothing wrong with it, you are at TDC of #4 cylinder. Check your firing order, (it should be on sticker on the brace under hood or check owner's manual), just start on #4 and work your way around the motor. No need to start w/ #1, makes NO difference. And Dr. Island is right, basically, but for safety sake and to make sure that you don't miss any, do 'em one cylinder at a time.

FWIW, if you are real good and can keep track of rockers, it is possible to do several valves w/ each movement of crank, I have always done valve adjustments one cylinder at a time at TDC, hell, not like the thing has 24 cylinders!

[Sunroof]

Got it guys.....I rotated several times and was not paying attention. Back on Z1 and alls well. Rather embarassing actually, because I have adjusted so many times before. Complacency took hold.

Gosh, I do hate number 6!! I replaced my AC hoses and I cannot get the compressor out of the way far enough to get in without a mirror and being a contortionist!

Appreciate the attention....back to adjustments.

Regards
Bob