valve covers question
04-04-2007, 09:18 PM
#14
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Ontario
Posts: 46
RE: valve covers question
TDC is top dead center, where the exhaust and intake valves are overlapping. You really have to watch it to find this out. It's right after exhaust but before the intake stroke.
You should run a google search and read up in depth about it, because it's VERY important to know to tune valves properly. Then you'll be able to discern what size of valves you want on your new heads :P
Hydraulic lifters are easy to adjust though, just use a feeler guage and put them around what the spec says. Put the feeler guage, tighten the rods till you feel resistance on the guage, and then tighten then up an extra quarter like mentioned. And while you're at it, check for stuck lifters. If you push on the lifters with a screw driver, you'll feel them move. If the lifters are solid and don't move, then you should replace the bridge, as this can cause noises and a loss in performance.
Be carefull, however, that when you tighten the rods you have a screwdriver holding the rod stud in place so it deosn't flop around, cause this'll kind of defeat the purpose of adjusting the valves.
To check your springs, use a screwdriver and move them to make sure they're all still on piece.
I have personally never heard of adjusting valves while the engine is running...Cause how can you check clearances when a valve is opening up a few times a second? You have to have the engine off, and if someone can prove me wrong on this, by all means, please do so.
But yeah, run a good google search, maybe hit up how stuff works, and find out all your stuff so you feel confident that you won't screw up. And practice deosn't hurt, don't be surprised if the first run deosn't have the valves quite like you want, or if you do a mistake and adjust the wrong valves :P
You should run a google search and read up in depth about it, because it's VERY important to know to tune valves properly. Then you'll be able to discern what size of valves you want on your new heads :P
Hydraulic lifters are easy to adjust though, just use a feeler guage and put them around what the spec says. Put the feeler guage, tighten the rods till you feel resistance on the guage, and then tighten then up an extra quarter like mentioned. And while you're at it, check for stuck lifters. If you push on the lifters with a screw driver, you'll feel them move. If the lifters are solid and don't move, then you should replace the bridge, as this can cause noises and a loss in performance.
Be carefull, however, that when you tighten the rods you have a screwdriver holding the rod stud in place so it deosn't flop around, cause this'll kind of defeat the purpose of adjusting the valves.
To check your springs, use a screwdriver and move them to make sure they're all still on piece.
I have personally never heard of adjusting valves while the engine is running...Cause how can you check clearances when a valve is opening up a few times a second? You have to have the engine off, and if someone can prove me wrong on this, by all means, please do so.
But yeah, run a good google search, maybe hit up how stuff works, and find out all your stuff so you feel confident that you won't screw up. And practice deosn't hurt, don't be surprised if the first run deosn't have the valves quite like you want, or if you do a mistake and adjust the wrong valves :P
04-04-2007, 10:39 PM
#15
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Howard City, MI
Posts: 5,956
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