How much side to side play should the rocker arms have on a H23? I adjusted the valve lash last night and noticed that the rockers had almost an eighth of an inch of side to side play. Is this normal? Also they seemed to have much tighter clearance than spec. Readjusted them to spec and it sounds like a sewing machine.

 

Rocker play seems fine, what specs did you use and was the engine cold or warm. You say they wer tight, where were they before you started.

 

Let the car sit up for about 4 or 5 hours, I'm not sure of the exact clearance just the feeler wouldn't fit. Used the specs as listed in the Chilton's as Intake: .09-.13mm Exhaust: .15-.19

 

WOW, seems like a lot for the exhaust.

 

what do you mean the feeler wouldn't fit?

 

I meant the proper size feeler gauge would not fit between the cam and rocker arm at all, meaning it was too tight right? Can anyone verify these number? Maybe a typo in the manual....

 

A little side to side play is normal...

Here's the best way I have found to do a valve adjustment and actually get the specs right:

-Loosen the locknut and turn the adjusting screw several turns back
-Slide the proper feeler gauge between the camshaft and the rocker arm
-Tighten the adjusting onto the feeler gauge until it won't turn anymore (don't use force or anything)
-Then back it off about 1/6-1/10 of a turn and the gauge should slide right out and you should have good valve lash.