The Ford Barn

KMBeers · 12-17-2023, 11:51 AM

I am gearing up to remove my valve cover and check and reset as needed the clearance on the valves. I want to make sure I have everything I need before I start the project so the only question I have is what wrenches are needed to make the adjustments and do they need to be narrow or can standard ones be used? Any help or advice is appreciated.

Y-Blockhead · 12-17-2023, 12:06 PM

I use a couple of narrow 7/16" & 1/2" wrenches. A couple of Craftsman I narrowed and I also have a narrow Snap-On wrench. The Snap-On is 7/16" - ½".

katy · 12-17-2023, 12:07 PM

Does your engine have adjustable lifters?

JayJay · 12-17-2023, 12:17 PM

The Model A adjustable lifters I've worked on are 1/2" on the lower part and 7/16" on the upper (adjustable) part. I found a set of cheap open end wrenches in my tool armada that I thinned to fit. You may be able to get by with an unthinned wrench on the lower (1/2"), but almost for sure you'll need a thin one on the upper (7/16").

I remember that my dad had a set of what he called "tappet" wrenches that he used to adjust the valves on his 50's British sports cars. They were quite long, if I recall, but were made with thin heads. Don't know where those went, but they may very well have been Whitworth sized rather than SAE.

Randall · 12-17-2023, 12:58 PM

If you have the double loc type you will need three wrenches two will need to be thin
https://youtu.be/07v6AERzVQQ?si=X8JhD0tA62K1_ULD

Randall · 12-17-2023, 01:01 PM

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and if you don't have adjustable
https://youtu.be/13nFFtFWkKU?si=ltFkm7DMku8DTe7y

KMBeers · 12-17-2023, 02:00 PM

I believe what I have is the two wrench adjustable valve lifters. I had the cover off when I was changing the timing gear last year but did not take the time to check the clearance. The plan is to do the work during the holidays so I will let you know the results when I am finished. Thanks for the information, I am going to round up the two thin wrenches before I start.

nkaminar · 12-17-2023, 02:03 PM

Remember the "rule of 9's." If valve 1 is up, 8 is down and can be measured. If 2 is up then 7 can be measured, etc. The guides for the lifters in my car are not cut and I cannot get to the bottom lock nut while the valve is down, so I measure one valve while adjusting the 9th. So I will be adjusting #1 while measuring #8 and adjusting #2 while measuring #7, etc. That saves me some time. I don't adjust the valves in sequence, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. but rather go by which valve pops up next. That also saves time.

David R. · 12-17-2023, 02:59 PM

I still have my set of tappet wrenches from way back when working on old L head Jeep engines. They should still be available. They are made very thin for this very purpose.

P.S. · 12-17-2023, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

Remember the "rule of 9's." .

I was taught that by an old filling station 2-bay garage mechanic. Glad to see it is more widely known than just a couple guys! The old school mechanics always have my deepest respect.

KMBeers · 12-17-2023, 06:53 PM

The old school mechanics are always full of great advice. I was targeting the procedure in Les Andrew’s book but there is always more to learn and other great ideas! Rule of the 9’s sounds like it will really get the process done pretty efficiently and quickly.

alexiskai · 12-17-2023, 07:06 PM

Couple years ago I designed a printable gauge to help determine how much to rotate the tappet bolt based on the clearance you want.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290185

JayJay · 12-17-2023, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexiskai

Couple years ago I designed a printable gauge to help determine how much to rotate the tappet bolt based on the clearance you want.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290185

Very nice. I've always adjusted valves based upon turning a "skosh" or a "smush", and I don't see those units represented on your chart. BTW, a "smush" is approximately two "skosh".

alexiskai · 12-17-2023, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayJay

Very nice. I've always adjusted valves based upon turning a "skosh" or a "smush", and I don't see those units represented on your chart. BTW, a "smush" is approximately two "skosh".

It’s been awhile but I think a skosh is 10 zams, so you should be able to calculate the rest from there.

12-17-2023, 12:07 PM	#3
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: Valve adjustment tools Does your engine have adjustable lifters? __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

12-17-2023, 12:17 PM	#4
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,077	Re: Valve adjustment tools The Model A adjustable lifters I've worked on are 1/2" on the lower part and 7/16" on the upper (adjustable) part. I found a set of cheap open end wrenches in my tool armada that I thinned to fit. You may be able to get by with an unthinned wrench on the lower (1/2"), but almost for sure you'll need a thin one on the upper (7/16"). I remember that my dad had a set of what he called "tappet" wrenches that he used to adjust the valves on his 50's British sports cars. They were quite long, if I recall, but were made with thin heads. Don't know where those went, but they may very well have been Whitworth sized rather than SAE. __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan

12-17-2023, 12:58 PM	#5
Randall Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lambsburg Va Posts: 296	Re: Valve adjustment tools If you have the double loc type you will need three wrenches two will need to be thin https://youtu.be/07v6AERzVQQ?si=X8JhD0tA62K1_ULD

12-17-2023, 01:01 PM	#6
Randall Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lambsburg Va Posts: 296	Re: Valve adjustment tools Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) and if you don't have adjustable https://youtu.be/13nFFtFWkKU?si=ltFkm7DMku8DTe7y

12-17-2023, 02:59 PM	#9
David R. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: West Virginia Posts: 430	Re: Valve adjustment tools I still have my set of tappet wrenches from way back when working on old L head Jeep engines. They should still be available. They are made very thin for this very purpose.

12-17-2023, 11:51 AM	#1
KMBeers Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Posts: 15	Valve adjustment tools I am gearing up to remove my valve cover and check and reset as needed the clearance on the valves. I want to make sure I have everything I need before I start the project so the only question I have is what wrenches are needed to make the adjustments and do they need to be narrow or can standard ones be used? Any help or advice is appreciated.

12-17-2023, 02:00 PM	#7
KMBeers Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Posts: 15	Re: Valve adjustment tools I believe what I have is the two wrench adjustable valve lifters. I had the cover off when I was changing the timing gear last year but did not take the time to check the clearance. The plan is to do the work during the holidays so I will let you know the results when I am finished. Thanks for the information, I am going to round up the two thin wrenches before I start.

12-17-2023, 02:03 PM	#8
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: Valve adjustment tools Remember the "rule of 9's." If valve 1 is up, 8 is down and can be measured. If 2 is up then 7 can be measured, etc. The guides for the lifters in my car are not cut and I cannot get to the bottom lock nut while the valve is down, so I measure one valve while adjusting the 9th. So I will be adjusting #1 while measuring #8 and adjusting #2 while measuring #7, etc. That saves me some time. I don't adjust the valves in sequence, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. but rather go by which valve pops up next. That also saves time. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

12-17-2023, 06:53 PM	#11
KMBeers Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2021 Posts: 15	Re: Valve adjustment tools The old school mechanics are always full of great advice. I was targeting the procedure in Les Andrew’s book but there is always more to learn and other great ideas! Rule of the 9’s sounds like it will really get the process done pretty efficiently and quickly.

12-17-2023, 07:06 PM	#12
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,356	Re: Valve adjustment tools Couple years ago I designed a printable gauge to help determine how much to rotate the tappet bolt based on the clearance you want. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=290185