<VV> valve adjustment - initial setting

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 8/3/2006 12:48:53 PM Pacific Daylight Time,  
pbob63 at frontiernet.net writes:

Thanks  for the previous suggestions. I was able to free the last of the 
3 stuck  valves by tapping on it with a rawhide mallet. All pushrods are 
pumping  oil, and all valves are moving. I'm just not sure how far to 
tighten the  rockers initially. Once I get the engine running smoothly 
with a decent  idle, then I'll go back and final adjust the valves. I 
don't want to  overtighten. Am I going about this wrong?

-Paul  Abel-



Let's see, about 600 people on Virtual Vairs, you could easily get 700  
answers. In your particular situation, I would recommend doing a factory cold  
adjustment - like in the manual - which I hope you have. It essentially means  
setting #1 at TDC and adjusting 1/2 of the valves, then a 360 degree rotation  
(to #2 at TDC) and adjusting the others. The setting I would use for your motor  
would be one quarter of a turn after removing the lash. That would produce a  
good idle for now. Let the engine really warm up with driving and all. That 
will  get good oil flow through the lifters. Then decide if you want a cold or  
hot/running setting of the valves. Either can work fine. I use a cold 
setting,  but lots of people I respect (and others, too!) adjust them hot and  
running. - Seth Emerson