It's S L O W going for valve adjustments at my place, need help... (pics)

[garment]

Happy Thanksgiving Pelicans!

Attempting my first valve adjustment, and trying with both the Kirk Tool and the traditional feeler, fingers crossed!

However, I hit a snag. I cannot remove the passenger side upper valve cover. The bottom-most and rearmost corner is hung up on a hard line, see pic:



Now, I can try to rotate that line a bit to get the clearance I need - seems risky.

Or, shall I complete the A/C compressor delete and get rid of the bracket here, not even sure that will get me the correct clearance off the hard line:



What would you do?

Also - separate topic - what is the meaning of the two items here? Do I have an extra?

Thanks Pelicans!

[Oh Haha]

I always loosened the oil line on my SC for valve adjusts. Yours looks pretty crusty so better spray it with some penetrant and gently try to loosen it. Move it just enough to get the cover off.

[brcorp]

Loosen the oil line, only risk is that the crush washers may not seal when you tighten it up. Easy fix if they need replacing.

Is that the O2 sensor wire??

[garment]

Good idea! I've hit it with some Kroil and will let it sit overnight.

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

I always loosened the oil line on my SC for valve adjusts. Yours looks pretty crusty so better spray it with some penetrant and gently try to loosen it. Move it just enough to get the cover off.

[garment]

Yes, it is the wire for the O2 sensor that feeds into the heat exchanger (I have SSIs). Why are two of what looks like the same device, in series?

Originally Posted by brcorp

Loosen the oil line, only risk is that the crush washers may not seal when you tighten it up. Easy fix if they need replacing.

Is that the O2 sensor wire??

[MBAtarga]

Originally Posted by garment

Yes, it is the wire for the O2 sensor that feeds into the heat exchanger (I have SSIs). Why are two of what looks like the same device, in series?

The connector (ivory in color) at the upper portion of the picture is the original. Looks like someone installed a jumper to connect it to the other end of the harness. Not sure the harness feeding through the grommet in the tin is original - it looks "new."

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by garment

Yes, it is the wire for the O2 sensor that feeds into the heat exchanger (I have SSIs). Why are two of what looks like the same device, in series?

It is redundant.

Pin that plugs into the O2 sensor pig tail.

[burgermeister]

I don't have the ac bracket and I don't have to loosen the oil line to get the valve cover off.

[Flat6pac]

There is supposed to be a double washer under the AC support to keep the bracket off the shroud. Then the bracket wouldn't be holding the VC in place.
I guess the valves haven't been set since the oil line was new.
Bruce

[garment]

So, now the belt is slipping on the pulleys when I try to find TDC. My belt isn't too old, but I seem to recall John Walker saying the Conti belts are a tad big? I'll try to tighten tomorrow.

Is it a problem that my lower valve cover is off overnight?

Thanks!

[Jerome74911S]

Originally Posted by garment

So, now the belt is slipping on the pulleys when I try to find TDC. My belt isn't too old, but I seem to recall John Walker saying the Conti belts are a tad big? I'll try to tighten tomorrow.

Is it a problem that my lower valve cover is off overnight?

Thanks!

Instead of trying to turn the engine with the fan belt, rather use the nut on the bottom pulley.

No problem to have the valve cover off, unless there is excessive dust blowing around.

[rwest]

I also push in on the outside of the belt with my thumb while turning the bolt with a breaker bar and that seems to give enough extra tension.

[garment]

Bob, not sure I follow. Are you saying to remove one of the items? Thank you.

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

It is redundant.

Pin that plugs into the O2 sensor pig tail.

[yelcab1]

Originally Posted by garment

Bob, not sure I follow. Are you saying to remove one of the items? Thank you.

It is a kluge that someone made up to fix a broken O2 sensor connector.

[mreid]

If I was you (mind you I love the slippery slope). I would remove the banjo bolt, replace the oil restrictor with the updated version (it is the part the banjo screws into), and do the same to the other side. Pelican sells a kit that includes both restrictors and the six sealing washers for a very reasonable price.

[garment]

Originally Posted by Jerome74911S

Instead of trying to turn the engine with the fan belt, rather use the nut on the bottom pulley.

No problem to have the valve cover off, unless there is excessive dust blowing around.

Wow, I cannot figure out for the life of me how to get a socket on the nut on the bottom pulley. The engine is in the car, and the engine bracket is in the way . Any advice on how to do this?

[gptom]

I push on the belt for more traction & turn at the alternator. Making the belt too tight via shims will ruin the alternator bearings

[Jerome74911S]

Originally Posted by garment

Wow, I cannot figure out for the life of me how to get a socket on the nut on the bottom pulley. The engine is in the car, and the engine bracket is in the way . Any advice on how to do this?

Sorry, you cannot use a socket with this method- no room, as you've seen.

Use a box-end wrench that has an open end on the opposite end. If this is too hard to turn, take a second, more or less similar size box wrench and insert the box part into the open end of the wrench that is on the pulley bolt - as an extension. You may have to fiddle with this to get it right, I don't have a photo. It may look unwieldy, but is actually pretty secure and commonly done.

[Nick Triesch]

If you pull the plugs it should turn easy from the top?

[garment]

Originally Posted by Jerome74911S

Sorry, you cannot use a socket with this method- no room, as you've seen.

Use a box-end wrench that has an open end on the opposite end. If this is too hard to turn, take a second, more or less similar size box wrench and insert the box part into the open end of the wrench that is on the pulley bolt - as an extension. You may have to fiddle with this to get it right, I don't have a photo. It may look unwieldy, but is actually pretty secure and commonly done.

I replaced the fan belt - can't believe I let it get as worn as it was! The new one is grippy and no problem acquiring the TDC mark by turning the fan nut clockwise.

Thanks!