valve adjustment

[stevenelle]

Happy New Year to each of you. I was going to adjust valves hoping to improve compression after a rebuild, but I find conflicting specs.

In the Shop Manual, it says Intake Hot - .010; Exhaust Hot - 0.14.

In Technical Tips on forum it says Intake Hot - .008; Exhaust Hot - .010

Which is correct, or does it matter?

I think I probably did a sloppy job immediately after rebuild and want to do it right this time.

[grey beard]

I believe you may be confusing car and truck specs. While I do not have both manuals for comparison, I believe the truck manual calls for a little more clearance due to the fact that they typically run hotter and longer than automobiles.

With my numb, diabetic hands, it is simply not possible for me to get in there to do a hot adjustment. After a lot of thinking about this, I set my own valves at .012 and .016 at ambient room temperature. This engine starts and runs as quietly and as nicely as any I have ever owned.

What I strongly suggest to anyone contemplaing a valve adjustment is to go over each valve THREE times to be perfectly sure you are set where you want to be. DO get a go-no-go gauge in the size you decide to use. Set each one, then go over them a second time from beginninfg to end. Then go over 'em once more. It's just too easy to make a mistake on these things, and for me, they're not easy to get to or see.

Good luck:)

[Dodgeb4ya]

I set them at .010 intake and .012 for the exhaust. Valve clearance does affect how soon or late valve timing occurs so stay close to factory specs.

Bob

[David Muma]

some very good info here

http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/Lit/Master/027/Cover.htm

[grey beard]

David,

That is an excellent web site. Thanks for the lead. I've bookmarked that web site for sure.