Hi,
I have a 98 Civic LX with a D16Y7 engine (1.6 Liter)

I found this pretty nice explanation on adjusting valve clearance
6th Gen (6G) Honda Civic D-Series Valve Lash Clearance Adjustment

Firing order is 1-3-4-2
Getting set to adjust Cyl 1 is simple (just TDC-using the UP and notches in camshaft that you align with top of head.

Cylinder 4 is turn Cam 180 and use same marks and align with top of head.

What was confusing is it said to rotate crankshaft 180 degrees CCW after #1 to do Cylinder 3.... the problem is how to accurately access 180...since there are no marks...

So here is what I did and looking for feedback. So I counted the number of teeth on camshaft between the 2 notches (exactly 19). I divided by 2 and made a mark on the camshaft at 9-1/2 (halfway between). Then I made a mark directly above that mark on the upper timing cover. Then when I turned from #1 to #3.. I just lined up the notch on cam with new mark on the timing belt cover..and I think this should be exactly TDC for #3.

Turning 180 will get the other cam shaft notch hitting the mark on the timing belt cover...for #2.

In reality I did #1 easy(TDC), turned CCW 90 till notch hit mark on TB cover for #3, then turned CCW 90 so that notches lined up with top of head for #4, then turned CCW 90 so that notch hit mark on timing belt cover.

Thoughts on whether this should work or not ?

Thanks much !!

 

Yeah that is how it works. Just remember.....Even though the cams only turn 90*, you are actually turning the crankshaft a full 180*. The cams spin half the speed of the crank.

The manuals says 180* because they are specifically referring to turning the crankshaft (not the cams).

You still did it correctly.

 

Another trick you can do is take an 18 inch piece of dowel that fits through your spark plug hole. Let the dowel sit on the top of the piston and turn the crank CCW until the dowel raises to the top of the cylinder (reaches it's highest point). When the dowel just starts to fall, turn the crank back CW the tiny bit that caused the dowel to drop. You now know that cylinder is TDC.

 

If you can't figure out the cam gear marks, how would you know you're on the compression stroke? I don't think you should attempt a valve adjustment if you cannot read the cam gears.

 

take out your spark plugs and drop a long socket extension or screw driver in the hole and watch it go up and down as you turn the crank to find TDC. Its very simple and this is how I do it every time. If you really want to get complicated get a dial indicator with a long extension and set it up through the spark plug hole to tough the top of the piston the same way the screw driver does

All you want is for the cam lobes to be in a position where they are applying no lift to the valves, there is a lot of play and does not have to be nearly as exact as you are making it

 

thanks so much for all the input!!!!

 

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