Alright. I'm goin' in to adjust my valves ...

R_Davis · 04-30-2008, 07:04 PM

Hi Guys,

I've never done this before on my little car, but I've got the Tech Doc on this procedure from PParts and I'm gonna do the Ramp/Jack stand deal.

I have the car on ramps in the driveway now so it can really cool down to do the cold valve adjustment in the A.M.
#4 Cylinder has a little 'tick' in it and it's bugging me. Otherwise, everything is running fine. But it's time for an adjustment.

I changed out the tranny oil yesterday with Valvoline Synth 75-90W and about 1/2 Qt of Lucas Oil Stabilizer. Added the balance of the Lucas to the engine oil. Car ran noticably better in the trials. Shifted better. Felt better.

Don't know why I'm posting this ... maybe to encourage others.

Maybe for a High Five! (for luck) Any tips?

I feel like I'm performing heart surgery, for crying out loud.

Thanks for all and any indulgence.

Rick

spoke · 05-01-2008, 09:42 AM

Not a hard job but certainly is tedious. Take your time and double check your measurements. Lots of methods to adjusting the valves. Check here and other sites for procedures. Replace the valve cover gaskets if possible. I put a thin coat of gasket sealer on the new gaskets when I put it back together. The last thing you want is a leaky valve cover after finishing.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

Careful with the synthetic in the gearbox. I am told that the 901 does not like synthetic transmission fluid.

You can also put it up on stands, put a long wrench(breaker bar is perfect) on one of the lug nuts so the wheel can't turn when the wrench hits the ground while you turn the other wheel to turn the motor.

R_Davis · 05-01-2008, 06:55 PM

Gees ,,, The PO who had the valves done ... Gawsh ... #4 musta been cranked down with a torque wrench ... ridiculous ...

Got it all worked out using the Tech Article here on PParts. If you haven't spent a few hours underneath your car looking up, you don't know your car!

While I was at it, I changed out the oil filter and replaced the oil with full Synth and 20% Lucas oil stabilizer.

The little 1.7 runs like a monster. I took it on a 15 mile trip to get all the juices flowing. It is a whole new car/engine.

If anyone wants to do something simple to make their car run better, I'm here to tell you ... fluids make a HUGE difference. Oil, Tranny ... Huge Diff!

It was a tedious job but the learning curve has been whittled down.

Runs great & well worth the blood and sweat

Rick