I just want to clarify something having to do with a valve adjustment. When you rotate the crank clockwise to the "T" mark, #1 cylinder or #4 cylinder will be at TDC, is this correct? So, rotating the crank to the "T" mark will not bring you to TDC on cylinders #2 and #3, correct? Does everyone understand what I am getting at? I dont want to end up with another "JoHo" situation Just kidding!! I dont want to receive a package of crap

 

For the purpose of adjusting the valves, yes, you are correct. You'll be able to verify by wiggling the rockers.

 

When your a TDC on the balancer both 1 & 4 are at TDC but only 1 will be on compression stroke.

 

To make things easier. Remove the upper timing cover and leave the valve cover on. Rotate engine until crank pulley is at T and cam gear at its upright position. Straight up lined up with mark on the valve cover. That is #1 TDC. Hope that simplified alittle...

 

I figured that the cam gear would have a TDC mark for #1 cylinder, I just wasnt too sure. When #1 is at TDC and then I rotate the crank 360 back to the "T" mark, #3 will be at TDC>rotate again #4 TDC>rotate again #2 TDC?? Thanks fireman, I have a copy of that information. I just want to make sure that I will not have any problems determining which cylinder is at TDC. This will be my first valve adjustment and I dont want the car to sound like a diesel.

 

+1, the easiest, a safest if you have an aftermarket cam, way to do it is to use the cam gear sprockets and adjust each cylinder individually.

 

that is what my plan was, to do each cylinder individually.

 

Set 1 or 4 which ever is on compression and then 360 you only have to turn it once. If #1 is on compression do the white valves if #4 is on compression do the black valves.

 

If i remember right #1 and 3 are companion cyclinders and 2 and 4 are. I won't say don't worry about the # 2 and 3 cyclinders, but when #1 or #4 is at TDC the easiest way to know what to adjust is to jiggly the rockers and the rockers that don't have the cam lobe applying pressure to open them or closing them are the ones that you adjust. Then rotate the crank 1 full rotation and do the same thing as previous.

 

don't people know how to read anymore?

 

with an aftermarket cam profile you will have to be more careful. maybe I am over compensating, but we rotated the cam 90* at a time and watched for which valves had just stopped intaking and adjusted that piston. IMO it's the only way to be sure you are adjusting all four valves on each cylinder while there is no possibility that the lobes will interfere with the adjustment.

 

The problem with watching that is that you adjust a valve too soon and possibly burn a valve. You should always get it to #1 or #4 TDC and adjust the specified valves. No need to damage anything. And remember don't make them tighter then listed or else you can result in the burning the valves and keeping them open instead of leting close on their seat.

 

to clarify, there are four spokes on the cam gear. each one represents TDC for one cylinder. If you watch your intake rockers as you turn the cam gear the one that intakes as the next spoke is nearing vertical is the one that is at TDC and furthest away from it's cam lobes(all five of them). your adjustment should be made on that pistons rockers when the spoke is perpendicular to the head.

I personally would not recommend adjusting any rockers aside from those that are at TDC, even the second piston that is supposed to be at top dead center, if you have an aftermarket cam. unless you sent them the specs and know exactly what they did to the cam you are taking a chance of adjusting a set of rockers where they are not completely off the lobes.


is that better

 

Ralli78,

Do you have after market cams in your car?

 

car is stock, just going through general maintenance. Car has 68000 and never had a valve adjustment done.