How Can I Check My Valve Lash Adjustment

[19Fordy]

I would like to check the valve lash adjustment on my 8BA since I have the intake off and am installing a new intake manifold gasket. Lifters are Johnson adjustables. I have the fan hub pulley hanging down in front of the timing cover so there's not much room. It is possible for me to get a socket on the crank pulley bolt but it's hard to see the crank pulley timing mark.

QUESTION: What is the procedure for adjusting (checking) my valve lash? Thanks. JIM

[flatjack9]

With a stock cam, I set the engine at TDC firing on the cylinder I'm adjusting. You can use the rotor to determine what cylinder is firing and check those valves.

[richard crow]

install a solanord with a push button. we used to call them mech. helper

[Mart]

There are a couple (or more) ways.

If it is not easy to turn the crank there is a method where you only have to have the crank in 3 positions to adjust all the valves.

If it is kinda ok to turn the crank then you can do both the inlet and exhaust on one cylinder at the same time. This involves 8 movements of the crank

If it is really easy to turn the crank you can do all the exhausts and then all the inlets. This involves 16 movements of the crank.

I don't know method 1 off by heart but it has been listed in Motors Manuals for ever.

For method 2 I would have No6 cylinder's valves rocking and adjust no 1 valves. Then so on through the firing order. 3 rocking adjust 5. 7 rocking adjust 4. 2 rocking adjust 8. Then through the other 4 following the timing order.

For method 3 I would have no6 exhaust wide open and adjust no1 exhaust. Then 3 wide open adjust No5 and so on following the firing order and then repeat for the inlets.

Doing all the exhausts and all the inlets separately is better as you don't have to keep switching the feelers from one setting to the other.

I showed quite a few different methods in various videos.

Mart.

[marko39]

remove plugs to make turning it over easier

[solidaxle]

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You can purchase one of the Cheaters Performance tools sold on here or HAMB by a member. Just remove your distributor cap and rotor, set #1 cylinder to TDC and make a pointer with a piece of wire. As you rotate the motor it will tell you which one to check.
Since you don't have the modification of holes drilled in your lifter valley bores for a pick to stop the rotation of the lifter you will need the Johnson tools that will hold them in place while you turn the adjustment bolt.
There's a Youtube video showing how to use them. The video gives good instruction. It only needs to mention in order to snap in the tool on the opposing lifter you need to have both lifters down in the bores. So there's a little jockeying back and forth of the crank to make the proper adjustments.

[solidaxle]

To get a socket on the crank bolt on mine I need to install the socket first on the bolt then slide the extension through the hole in the grill.


It also faster to have two people adjusting the valves. One to turn the crank and one to set the lash.


Have two feeler gauges one for intake and one for exhaust since the gaps are different.


It's a three to four beer process, unless you have a helper then double the beer consumption.

[19Fordy]

Thank you all for the helpful input and info. The last time I adjusted the valves was when I built the engine in 1972. It was a lot easier with the engine OUT and on an ENGINE STAND.

[leon bee]

I bought one of those Cheater's tools solidaxle mentions. Of course it's not really needed, but I sure do like it. Used it 3 or 4 times now.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by 19Fordy

[B][COLOR="Red"] The last time I adjusted the valves was when I built the engine in 1972.

Well, that adjustment only lasted 50 lousy years. But the NEXT time you have to check it, you'll likely be starting to show a little gray around the edges, and maybe even a pound or two more on MOMMA's bathroom scale. Drive carefully!

Coop

.

[19Fordy]

V8, That's funny. Thanks for the chuckle.