Well, Intake is (0.006-0.007) and Exhaust is (0.007-0.008). When I'm tightening everything, should I shoot for the lower limit or the high limit? I figure the lowe limit as the valves will eventually loosen on its own. Am I correct in assuming this?

Also, what happens if the valves are too tight? I was going for the "smooth" feel of the drag, but could be a bit tight on my 2nd try ever. Any comments? Thanks.

-Sean

 

Better too loose than too tight right? General rule I follow thanks to EP. I've only done 1 valve adjustment but it's running smooth as butter right now.

Ed

 

That is also my logic for using the tighter limit.

I am only assuming but I beleive a valve adjustment that is to tight might result in valve to piston clearance issue

 

I shoot for the lower limit then use one size smaller than the lower limit to check for a "no go" status. too tight is worse than too loose... however, just right is the best!


[Modified by kkim, 10:11 PM 10/11/2002]

 

i did it in "between" .06 and .07 for intake and .07 and .08 for exhuast.
just use both feeler gauges and slide them back and forth for optimal "slight drag".

but ya, to tight is no good.

it depends on the way you drive your car. It might loosen up after the adjustment or it might tighten up.
You never know ;p what will happen to the adjustments that were made.

If your really curious just drive it for 50miles then open it back up and stick your feeler gauge and test if it actually got looser or tighter.

 

I adjusted mine a little too tight and my idle is rough. I have to make time to do it again, i've been driving like that for 2000 miles.

 

I do the tightest clearance but triple check all adjustments.

 

Ok, a very difficult question... what's "slight drag"? I'm going by "slight drag" defined by being able to get lower limit gauge to clear ok (in/6 thou and ex/7 thou), but when I put the upper limit gauge (in/7 thou and ex/8 thou), it drags tight. Should I be able to slide the upper limit gauges smoothly?? Or, is tight on upper limit good?

Another q: whenever I rotate for TDC for 1,3,4,2 sometime it rotates easily, but on some points it's quite hard to rotate the crank pulley. What gives?

Oh yeah, my we-todd moment... trying to rotate crank pulley... while forgetting to get the car off the gear.

 

"I adjusted mine a little too tight and my idle is rough. I have to make time to do it again, i've been driving like that for 2000 miles. "
_______
Just reset your computer. Let idle for a few minutes and go for a drive.

If the valves are set tight you are slightly increasing the duration which may give you more (a little) more power.

There are NO valve clearance problems with valves adjusted to the tight side.

John

 

Thanks, John. I'll see how it feels and sounds today. Hmm, never thought I'd gain any power out of adjusting 'em tight though... maybe I'll see the gain on the dyno.

 

yshi - who does the same as kelly

 

 

Slight drag means that you get resistance to movement when you try to slide the feeler gauge. If you are able to slide the lower limit gauge easely and then slide the upper gauge with resistance then it means you are adjusted at the upper limit. You should not be able to slide the upper gauge in when set at the lower limit.

You are getting variable resistance when turning the crank probably because you still have your spark plugs installed and one piston is going up in it`s compression strock. Remove the spark plugs and it should be a lot easier. OR you are getting the extra resistance when the camshafts (intake or exhaust) are starting to push down on the rocker and springs.

Also I was refering to possible clearance problem if you are to tight out of the spec. But still I am assuming and should not do that.


[Modified by JPP, 12:13 PM 10/12/2002]

 

you guys are making too big a deal out of a valve adjustment.

 

quote:
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"I adjusted mine a little too tight and my idle is rough. I have to make time to do it again, i've been driving like that for 2000 miles. "
_______
Just reset your computer. Let idle for a few minutes and go for a drive.

Hhhhmmmmm........ Worked for me. Are you letting it idle for a while before driving it? Also, try resetting idle by the book and see if that helps. I like a slightly higher idle anyway.

John

 

Heh, you know me, Matt. I'm a we-todd and need lots of instructions. Now where was that reverse threaded bolt thread...

 

I first adjusted mine at 7 and 8 and my valves ticked like nuts, even when warmed up.

Now I am at 6 and 7 and everything is dandy.

There should be drag with 6, and you shouldn't be able to fit the 7 in.
There should be drag with 7, and you shouldn't be able to fit the 8 in.

 

The tighter the clearance the more lift it will yeild upon the valves. Go with the tightest allowable spec.

Last time I adjusted the DX I remember using a tighter out of spec gap. Butt-dyno says it helps. Power percieved is power acheived