Hey what kind of noisiness am I looking for to know that I need a valve adjustment. BTW I'm planning on doing this myself, is snap-on the only company that makes that valve adjust tool?
thanks

 

Sewing machine.

 

Usually if you need a valve adjustment you will hear a rattle, like one of the valves is out of place. In my experience, you will often hear a rattle at a higher rpm than idle. As you let off the gas, the rattle may cease. I have only needed one once and that was on a Toyota pickup.

 

you can do it with and open ended wrench and a screw driver, you will also need a feeer gauge with i think its 4 and 8 thou, do it while the head is still warm, the snap on tool is great but expensive

 

Nope, actually it must be done cold. When I did it (B18C), I used a 10mm deep socket, a screwdriver, and a pair of vise grips. It works okay, but I'd rather get the tool, if only it didn't cost an arm and a leg. I have never seen the tool for sale anywhere besides Snap-on.

 

Valve adjustment MUST be done cold! If not you will have horrible knocking noises at all times from every single valve rocker arm. When the engine is at normal operating temperature (which means metal parts have expanded), there should be zero clearance between the cam lobe and rocker arm. In order for this to happen, you have to have the correct clearance set when the engine is cold. Too much clearance and it makes alot of noises. Too tight clearance and the valves won't close fully.

When I tried adjusting my valves w/ screwdriver and wrench, I messed it up many many times and had to recheck everything many many times. I won't go near those things again until I get that tool. I think the $45 is well worth the time and headaches spent doing it any other way.


[Modified by PatrickGSR94, 12:41 PM 2/13/2002]

 

But you must remember he has an LS, so the nuts are not set in as deep as they are on the VTEC heads. The wrench/screwdriver combo may work out easily enough for him.

Rainmaker.

 

can you buy this snap-on tool at the dealership, or is it an independent company?

 

Snap-on is a brand. Here is a link: http://buy.snapon.com/catalog/PRO.as...snapon%2Dstore
make sure you get the 10mm variety.