best way to adjust valves

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by cas3

good ol' bruce lancaster showed us how to make one in one of his many tutorials. god bless the man

Yep. Out of a tuna can

[tubman]

Originally Posted by frnkeore

My dad had a tool that bolted on, in place of the dist. It was made of aluminum and It had a wheel, about 4/5" in diameter and a index mark. It had 8 locations to index to and what valves were to be adjusted at those marks.

I don't have it now, it was lost, many years ago. Also, I don't remember who made it but, I haven't seen one, since then.

It could have been a Snap On tool, as he had almost all Snap On tools. I still have his tool box and many of his tools from the '40's.

There was a guy on the H.A.M.B a couple of years ago that sold a similar tool. It was an aluminum disc (about 4-5" in diameter). One side was for 8BA's and the other side was for the earlier engines. I bought one because I want to support guys that make things like this. Quite frankly, it was nice, but there are easier ways to do this.

[Mart]

Originally Posted by whizzernick

Then I jog motor around to the loosest spot that the .012 moves in and out . That spot is TDC

This is the best and easy way to get to TDC .

Is it? I don't think so. there is no loosest spot that denotes TDC. The base circle is a circle. There should not be any significant change in gap at any point of the circle.

Not trying to be a clever clogs, but I think you made an incorrect assumption.

Not being able to turn the motor by hand is a disadvantage.

Mart.

[frnkeore]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

I have this tool. A couple of companies made them. I'll try to post a pict of it. It's a neat tool to have.

Tim, if you have the time, I'd really like to see that tool.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by Mart

Ok. Listen carefully.

Take all the plugs out.

Turn the engine and watch the exhaust valve on No.6. As it just closes and you see the inlet valve just start to move, adjust both valves on No.1.

Here's the firing order. 15486372

Turn the motor and as you approach 90 degrees crank movement watch No.3 exhaust valve. As this closes and the inlet just starts to open adjust both valves on No.5.

Turn 90 and look at the firing order for the next valve to watch and which ones to adjust.

In this case the next ones would be watch 7 adjust 4.

I'll write it out..

Watch: 63721548
Adjust: 15486372

That's how I would do it. It's basically the in car version of the method in the video. You can see the valves from the tappet chest.

Mart.

Mart, I get the cylinder at a time. It's clear as mud. Best to do one at a time I'm guessing.

[Tim Ayers]

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Originally Posted by frnkeore

Tim, if you have the time, I'd really like to see that tool.

OK, I’ll try to post Picts. They’ve been acting funny lately.

[frnkeore]

Thank you, very much.

[Mart]

Here's one from back in the day.. Acra cam.

[Tim Ayers]

Mine is a Lee Tool Co.

[Pete]

Somebody should write a book on how to adjust valves the easiest way. Only problem with that is the book would be as thick as the King James dictionary and 90% of the info would be wrong. The key word here is “EASIEST”. In this case, the easiest is also foolproof.

Here is another way to do it.
Turn the engine until #1 exhaust is 20% open, then adjust #3 exhaust.
Turn engine till #8 intake is open 10%, then adjust the #6 exhaust.
Turn engine till #2 exhaust is open 50%, then adjust the fuel pump lobe.
Follow this pattern til all valves are fubar and then stop and have a beer
while you contemplate this joke.

[37 Cab]

I have always done the exhaust just opening do intake.. Intake just closing do exhaust method. Been doing it that way all my life.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by 37 Cab

I have always done the exhaust just opening do intake.. Intake just closing do exhaust method. Been doing it that way all my life.

A lot of people get away with that.

[Tinker]

Originally Posted by Pete

Somebody should write a book on how to adjust valves the easiest way. Only problem with that is the book would be as thick as the King James dictionary and 90% of the info would be wrong. The key word here is “EASIEST”. In this case, the easiest is also foolproof.

Here is another way to do it.
Turn the engine until #1 exhaust is 20% open, then adjust #3 exhaust.
Turn engine till #8 intake is open 10%, then adjust the #6 exhaust.
Turn engine till #2 exhaust is open 50%, then adjust the fuel pump lobe.
Follow this pattern til all valves are fubar and then stop and have a beer
while you contemplate this joke.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Pete

Somebody should write a book on how to adjust valves the easiest way. Only problem with that is the book would be as thick as the King James dictionary and 90% of the info would be wrong. The key word here is “EASIEST”. In this case, the easiest is also foolproof.

Here is another way to do it.
Turn the engine until #1 exhaust is 20% open, then adjust #3 exhaust.
Turn engine till #8 intake is open 10%, then adjust the #6 exhaust.
Turn engine till #2 exhaust is open 50%, then adjust the fuel pump lobe.
Follow this pattern til all valves are fubar and then stop and have a beer
while you contemplate this joke.

Dang it, I need the timing card for my fuel pump lobe. Seems Potvin forgot that one.

[JSeery]

I like Pete's method, seems the most straight forward.

[whizzernick]

Any one who does not like my method does not have to use it. I found this method to be fast and foolproof FOR ME. I posted the method as one way to adjust valves. I DISCOVERED THE METHOD BY ACCIDENT

Yes I could dismantle motor and maybe get a more perfect valve adjustment. I do say MAYBE.

This forum is to inform and (for me ) to get a lot of ways to do certain automotive things. This forum most of the time works for me. THANKS TO THE PEOPLE WHO RESPOND TO IT.

[JSeery]

Originally Posted by whizzernick

Any one who does not like my method does not have to use it. I found this method to be fast and foolproof FOR ME. I posted the method as one way to adjust valves. I DISCOVERED THE METHOD BY ACCIDENT

Yes I could dismantle motor and maybe get a more perfect valve adjustment. I do say MAYBE.

This forum is to inform and (for me ) to get a lot of ways to do certain automotive things. This forum most of the time works for me. THANKS TO THE PEOPLE WHO RESPOND TO IT.

Not to criticize your method, but it sure doesn't sound easy or straight forward to me. Finding TDC on an engine still in the car doesn't require removing anything other than the spark plugs. Once you have TDC for the number 1 cylinder, TDC for all of the other cylinders is every 90 degrees in the firing order.

[whizzernick]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Not to criticize your method, but it sure doesn't sound easy or straight forward to me. Finding TDC on an engine still in the car doesn't require removing anything other than the spark plugs. Once you have TDC for the number 1 cylinder, TDC for all of the other cylinders is every 90 degrees in the firing order.

Have you tried my method ?



How do you find TDC ? How do you turn motor 90 degrees ?

[JSeery]

No, I haven't. But I'm not much interested in any of these so-called short-cuts. I adjust/check the lifters on all of the engines I work on with the lifter on the heel of the lobe. I start with a degree wheel and check the cam timing. You need a TDC marking and pointer to start with. It seems the easiest and most accurate to me. But, if you like your method, use it.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by whizzernick

Have you tried my method ?



How do you find TDC ? How do you turn motor 90 degrees ?

Surely, if you've gone to the trouble and expense of installing adjustable lifters, you took the time to find TDC on #1, and marked the pulley as such WITH pointer. Bump engine over gingerly with starter to get each cylinder close, then 'rock' it in 3rd gear to sneak each 90 degree movement up to the money mark. Easy peasy! DD