Could someone show me how to adjust valves?

[joehahn]

What I mean is...is there a definitive spot on the web that is idiot proof for a basic tune-up and valve adjustment? (75-2.0) I just got this thing and I absolutely LOVE IT. More importantly and by some miracle wife loves it too! I think I have been bitten and I want to preserve this car forever.

Thanks in advance!

Joe

[aporsche914]

pelican has a tech article on adjusting the valves, its under the tech articles in the 914 section

[oredith]

The article on pelican is pretty comprehensive, and lots of pictures... You'll probably have a lot of problems getting the valve cover off like i did the first time.. but just know that it IS possible.. and you just have to find your own best way.. besides that.. it was a cinch..

Good Luck

[Alpine]

There are a couple tools that you can buy to make the valve adjustment job easier. The first is a special feeler gauge which has its ends bent to allow you to more easily fit the feeler between the rocker arm and valve stem. The second is a deep offset box wrench with both 13mm and 14mm to allow you to more easily turn the rocker arm lock nut. Check with Pelican Parts first but if they don't have these tools you can buy them from Performance Products. The deep offset box wrench that Performance Products sells is pretty expensive though and you may be able to get a similar Craftsman box wrench at Sears for less.

Alpine

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I have also found that *both* a "stubby" (about 2 inches long total) flat-head screwdriver *and* one of those nifty ratcheting offset screwdrivers are very handy to have when doing valve adjusts.

The ratcheting screwriver thingie looks like a small stamped-metal handle (~3" long) with a hole in one end. It usually comes with several "bits", which are different size Phillips and flat-head screwdriver tips. The bits go in the hole at the one end. Wish I had a picture. Anyway, that tool has come in handy several times--for instance, I could never remove the headlight covers without it, I don't have a Phillips-head screwdriver short enough for the job.

--DD

[oredith]

regarding Brian's post,

if you do proceed with that, just make sure you've got something beside you besides the floor jack so you don't pull the car on top of yourself..

Jeff

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Never, ever, ever, ever, EVER put anything you value (including hands, arms, heads, etc.) under a car that is ONLY supported by a jack. Jack-stands are MANDATORY--they don't sag, while jacks do. And when they do, the load they support can shift and fall. Not a happy thing if your head happens to be under the wheel when it falls...

Make sure you give the car a good wiggle after you get it settled on the jackstands, just to make sure it won't fall off them! You'd be surprised at the amount of force you can exert on the chassis of the car just by trying to loosen that *($%&@#(@$!! stubborn bolt....

--DD