Do I need to adjust the valves after I install a set of cams?

And if so - what should I adjust them to? This is a JDM 1st-gen B16, getting GSR cams. Thanks!

 

Yes.

.006" - .007" IN
.007" - .008" EX

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by IN VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yes.

.006" - .007" IN
.007" - .008" EX</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Done and done

Thanks for your help Ben, the car pulls like heck now! to GSR cams in a B16A!

 

Bringing this back up, just wondering if its really necessary to adjust the valves after a cam install ?

 

I think it's a good idea to do, but I don't think the clearances would have changed unless the base circle diameter changed.

Read the 1st response again

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by raene &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I think it's a good idea to do, but I don't think the clearances would have changed unless the base circle diameter changed.

Read the 1st response again </TD></TR></TABLE>

I read the 1st response, but I was just wondering if it was really necessary.

 

It is! Doooo eeeeeet!

 

Ok so say I got a valve adjustment the day before I installed cams, it would still be necessary ? I never installed cams once, but I pretty much know how to do so. And maybe I'm wrong but, aren't the valves not even touched when doing a cam install ?

 

You don't touch the valves, that's correct. But the clearance for the new cams will be incorrectif you don't adjust them, or so I hear. I believe mine were definitely were out of spec when I installed the GSR cams.

 

Look at the spec for clearance Honda gives. A range of .002". The base circle of one cam to another can vary that much, more if aftermarket. Consider that if the valves end up too tight, you could burn the valves and need a full valve job. If they are too loose, you are losing some of the potential power of the new cams.

I tend to be slow and careful and re-check all the valves at least once and still only spend about an hour adjusting the valves. If you know how and already spent the time to change the cams, why the fuss about checking the clearances again? It just strikes me as a poor choice of time saver to not check the clearance. Of course, last I checked it's a free country, so do as you choose.

 

when i installed my itr cams into my jdm b16, i didn't do a valve adj. do i need too...cause it been hella long since i've put them in...and it does feel like ****. Let me know..thanks.

 

If I remember correctly, Honda recommends checking the valves every 30K as maintainance, or is it 20K, I forget. If you have not checked them in that long, check them for sure. It's not very hard to do, only requires a screwdriver, wrench, and feeler guages and a bit of time. It can gain some power and make the engine last longer. Seems like a really good, cheap, bit of insurance.

If you check the valves regularly, any changes will be noticable before more damage has been done. If a valve or seat is starting to go, it will change clearance faster than the rest. You will only know that if you check them on occasion.

If you overrev the engine and float the valves, bent ones will change their clearance. If you know they were in proper adjustment, you can determin if any were damaged by checking clearance. If you don't know if they were right before, you can't tell if they changed or not.

Just my opinion, checking valve clearance is not much harder than changing oil and you don't have to figure out what to do with the old clearance you just took out of the engine and you don't get that hot oil running down your arm into your armpit from changing the valve clearance filter.

 

i did a swap from gsr to skunk2 stg1 cams. Did a valve adjustment just before the swap. Checked the valve lash after the swap and 2 of them were out of spec. So should you? yes. Is it going to blow up if you dont? prob not. More than likely you will be able to tell you need an adjustment from noisy valvetrain.

 

Over all the throttle response it better, and the motor just seems to run smoother...I adjust mine once a month...I treat her good so she will treat me good...

 

If you're installing cams the correct way you're loosening all the clearance nuts and unscrewing the adjustment bolt on all valves before even taking the cams out, this prevents any binding when putting the new cams in.