Well I went after doing this tune-up work today, and as always there had to be some sort of problem... I couldn't get the dist. rotor screw out of there so I had to just go ahead and install the new cap, plugs, and wires with the old rotor. I searched and read thru some archived topics on here and I guess I'm going to break the old rotor off and get the screw out with vise grips, then put the new rotor and screw in. I broke part of the dust cap off inside the dist. cap, thinking it would help get the screw out, but it didn't work, so now only about half that dust cap is hanging rather loosely inside the dist. cap.

As for the valve adjustment, is it possible for those adjustment screws to tighten themselves? I checked all the clearances and none of them were too loose. A few of them felt slightly tight, but I opted to not adjust any of them, for fear of creating a problem that wasn't there before. I thought the only thing those adjustment screws would do over time is loosen themselves, has anyone ever experienced them tightening? Outside temperature is not an issue, since it was cooler outside than it was the last time I adjust the clearances. Thoughts?


[Modified by PatrickGSR94, 1:48 AM 1/31/2003]

 

If you need a new rotor shield, I got one you can have.

You might find it easier to remove the distributor as a whole and work on it separate from teh engine to get a better angle and leverage. It's just (3) 12mm bolts and (2) harnesses that pry apart with the help of a screwdriver.

As for the valve lash, I just adjust as necessary so that it's back within spec, no matter where it was at last time.

 

I ordered a new rotor and it came with a screw and dust shield. Thnx for the offer tho

 

woohoo!! I got the old rotor off without having to break it to pieces. I looked in my dad's toolbox and found one of those phillips head drivers that's hex-shaped, made to go into a drill, but this particular one is 4" long, and a 1/4" socket fits on it. So I used that and a ratchet and it gave me plenty of leverage to get that old screw out.

I also replaced ALL the bulbs in my heater controls and the emerg. flasher switch. Now finally my dash looks complete at night.

 

Valve adjustment = easy I did it my first time with no special tools in under an hour.

 

Damn, you didn't strip it worse using a drill? I couldn't get mine off either, so I'm gonna go get an impact screwdriver and give it a whirl...

 

Hey Patrick. Can you do a write up about changing the bulbs in the hvac controls? I know its been covered a billion times, but a complete detailed write up would be great to archive.


Glad everything worked out.

 

would it be possible for you to list the steps involved or do you know of a link that will tell me?

i think my car is in desperate need for a valve tune. And wasit that easy or are you just a master at mechanical stuff?

-Ryan

 

DId you have a vavle adjustment tool when you did your valve adjustment? Also does anyone know where you can get a cheap valve adjustment tool. I tried using the bent wrench tool and it didnt work so well.

And some of my valves were to tight and I had to loosen them a bit. I guess it is normal