I'm doing my 1st valve adjustment. Everything seems okay...except I can't seem to be able to torque down the bolts. When I check the valves again after torquing it to 15lbs, the valve clearance is too close and I need to readjust them again. Any hints as to how I should tighten the bolts? Thanks

 

Are you using a valve adjustment tool? Or a good home made one?

If you aren't using the proper tool, or doing it right.. then there is no way to be acurate.

You have to hold the screwdriver in place while tightening the nut. Otherwise, 100 times out of 100 the clearance will change and you'll need to readjust.

If you are just having a hard time getting it accurate before tightening, then I suggest doing what I do:

Tighten down all the way on the feeler gauge so it cannot be pulled out.. then slowly loosen it up untill it comes out and can be pushed back in. Right at that point is where I tighten it.

 

Sounds like your applying so much pressure downwards you are compressing the valve spring ever so slightly and making it feel tight yet when you remove tool to torque it is loose! Im very light with the flat head and tighten the lock nut quite a bit so as not to move the adjustment screw when torquing down! Tediousness in its finest! LOL...( above applies if your using the proper tool like mentioned above)(also there is play in the flat head on the adjusting screw and when you tighten make sure that lack of play is opposite the way you tighten! thats key actually)


[Modified by SBR*EG4, 11:03 PM 1/22/2003]


[Modified by SBR*EG4, 11:04 PM 1/22/2003]

 

I'm using the valve adjustment tool from harbor freight. I think it's just my techinque of doing it.




[Modified by SamC, 7:09 AM 1/23/2003]

 

I think the problem is when using a torque wrench, you can't have a screwdriver go through it to hold the adjustment screw in place. Otherwise when tightening the jam nut you'll turn the screw with it.

edit-I had this problem too, unfortunately I could not figure a way to torque these to spec.


[Modified by SurferX, 12:14 AM 1/23/2003]

 

My wrist clicks right on the torque spec every time. When you adjust valves every day, you get a feel for the proper torque. When using the tool, I loosen and tighten the adjusting screw two or three times to get a feel for the right lash. I use my thumb, index and middle finger on the screwdriver handle and hold the lever portion with my other hand. Turn the adjusting screw out about 1/2 turn and then in until it just contacts the feeler guage and you feel it stop. Hold the screwdriver handle portion of the handle firmly and tighten the locknut. Don't "crank" on it , just snug it firmly. Usually it does not move, but every once in a while when you torque the locknut, the screw moves just enough to make the valve too tight. After you torque the locknut, pull the feeler guage out, reinsert it, and pull it out again. There should be just a slight drag, indicating perfect lash. If the feeler guage feels tight, try again. If you torque the locknut down once or twice and it is getting too tight every time, try turning in the adjusting screw in until it contacts the guage, and then back it out slightly and torque the locknut. Check your lash again. Practice makes perfect.
Geez, it takes longer to explain how to adjust valves than it actually takes to do it!

 

LOL...seriously!

 

Ha Ha...like a bionic torque wrench!

Anyway, I would not worry about getting the valve to exact factory specs. It's pretty much impossible to torque with the valve adjustment tool (unless you have a feel for it) or getting the torqe wrench down there without the screw moving and changing the valve clearance inadvertently. Just use your common sense and tighten until it feels snug.

 

now...after I torque one of the exhaust bolt, then I check the clearance again. It was tight. But now I can't loosen it again to adjust the valve. The screw would come loose but it's attach to the bolt...arrr...what should I do?

 

how often do you have to adjust the valves? My car has 30k miles on it and still runs great, how do you know if they need to be adjusted?

 

my car is at 35k....I'm following the maint. schedule

hopefully, the screw is not stripped


[Modified by SamC, 5:52 PM 1/24/2003]