Valve adjustment with Kirk valve tool

[VMAX1]

purchased the Kirk valve adjustment tool, and that was Well worth the money. Might be one of the best P tools I have ever bought. I have done valve adjustments, maybe 5 times, but this tool is the tool! Professionals my differ with me, but I am not professional. Also, I always had a small leak around a valve cover, or covers, and got a piece of glass and some emery paper and went to work. No Leak. Amazing how things work out when you follow directions from our forum. Thanks to all that spend time sharing their knowledge!

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by VMAX1

... but this tool is the tool! Professionals my differ with me...

They will... Please stand-by

[Swoboda]

Perfect timing. I'll be doing my first ever valve adjustment and will be using the Kirk tool. I hope to report positive results like you did! Thanks.

[75 911s]

I've done about 5 or 6 valve adjustments as well. I made my own gauge, and then bought the kirk tool, which I have used twice now. It feels way more accurate in the phase of tightening down since you can see gap movement as you tighten. When using a feeler gauge you have to eyeball it and that's not so easy on the valves tucked back in the engine bay. If you're doing it with an engine drop, it's a push between a feeler and the kirk tool. I'd probably use both still.

[rwest]

Thanks for the report, I bought one and will be doing an adjustment very soon. I've done it the conventional way many times and it worked out fine. I like the idea behind the tool and it is very well made.

[proporsche]

Hi boys..i have heard only good things about this tool ..personally i do valve adjustments without any gauges or feelers...just the hand feel worked for me ...since ever-1986.....

Ivan

[iwhelan]

I too have this tool and love it. I never did a valve adjustment before doing mine last year, and it was great. Perfect results.

[tobluforu]

Originally Posted by proporsche

Hi boys..i have heard only good things about this tool ..personally i do valve adjustments without any gauges or feelers...just the hand feel worked for me ...since ever-1986.....

Ivan

I'm guessing you are referring to the wiggle method? My good friend used this method for years, probably still does.

[ClickClickBoom]

Additional fuel for the process:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/846673-kirk-engines-valve-lash-adjustment-tool.html

BTW, still using the Kirk, don't know where the feeler gauges are anymore....

[proporsche]

hi toblu..i really do not know what is wiggle method i was taught by old-timer 911 mechanic this way so i got stuck doing it like this...

Ivan

[VMAX1]

I would like to add, it was the best valve adjustment I have ever done. She runs a lot better and sounds like a sewing machine!

[dicklague]

I use this method, but built my own tool. Works great

Very easy to do actually.

[rwest]

I'm another convert! I just completed a valve adjustment on mine using the Kirk tool and really liked how it worked. I've probably done a dozen or so with the feeler gauge and never felt like I knew if I was getting the right drag.

Well machined and made in the USA- very happy customer.

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by ClickClickBoom

BTW, still using the Kirk, don't know where the feeler gauges are anymore....

When this guy talks, my ears are open Always a 0.004" feeler gauge guy but I listen.

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by Bob Kontak

When this guy talks, my ears are open...

Good thing he was not talking about the Backside method...

[Bob Kontak]

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

Good thing he was not talking about the Backside method...

I swear to God, the amount of peeps that stray from the straight and narrow baffles me. To remain beautiful I have to adjust expectations in advancing years.

I do likes me some ClickClickBoom.

[LakeCleElum]

After over 50 yrs of motorcycles and owing over 100 motorcycles. .004 and "slight drag" works just fine.....Never understood all the debate and drama?????

[Nick Triesch]

What is a slight drag to some is not a slight drag to others. The Kirk tool is perfect.

[uwanna]

Have been adjusting 911 valves since 1970. I always of course used a feeler gauge. A year ago I bought a Kirk tool and have retired my many somewhat bent and wrinkled .004" feeler gauges.
The Kirk tool to me is a well engineered precision tool and uses a long proven
and accepted principle. i.e. the pitch of a threaded rod can be used to determine
how far the rod moves with a given rotation. This is the very principle that is used
in a precision micrometer. It also is used in adjusting, with precision, the moving tool mount on a metal lathe. We all trust and believe in these precision tools, why not trust the Kirk tool to be MORE precise than a feeler gauge followed up by a subjective "slight drag".
The beauty of the Kirk is the adjustment markings on the tool are in essence the same thing as the measurement markings on a micrometer. I am a convert as the tool is much faster and less "fiddly" to use and more precise as well as being beautifully designed and crafted!
just my $.02 YMMV
Grant

[Jerome74911S]

For an extended review of the Kirk tool in action, check my blog:

Pondering Porsche(s): March 2015