Adjusting my Valves

72bajaben · Post by **72bajaben** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 7:29 pm

So i decided to adjust my valves this weekend. i didnt know what i was doing so i read everything tha ti could find on it. seemed simple enough. so i get TDC on piston #1, vavles were way off. adjusted them....moved on, and i couldnt find TDC of piston #2 everytime i turned the pully 180degrees, the valves looked closed, but the distro wasnt pointing at #2. so then i moved it so that the distro was pointing at #2 and the valves were way off. one was open and the other was closed. i dont get it. can anyone help or should i call the local shop?

scott the viking · Post by **scott the viking** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 7:52 pm

The problem here is pretty simple (and common). You are over thinking this. I know what "the book" says on how to adjust the valves...but lets just skip that and do it another way...this might take you a smidge longer...but it will be right.
Pull a valve cover off...pick a cylinder...turn the engine over by hand and watch the rocker arms. You can absolutely tell when the lifter is not on the ramp of the camshaft. Just watch how the rocker arm moves...it lifts fast and then goes back to it's "relaxed" spot. You will notice that the rocker arm stays in this relaxed spot for quite some time while you turn the engine over slowly...You can adjust the valve anywhere aside from when it is being lifted. So when it is "relaxed"...stop turning the engine...reach over and grasp the rocker arm...it should have a slight bit of slack in it...if you have adjusted them too tight already...then back it off and set the relaxed position to six thousands. To check to see if you got it right...you can turn the engine by hand again...watch the rocker arm lift and then go back....when it is relaxed again...check it...it should be right where you set it. do this for every valve...Yes...there are ways of doing MUCH faster...but I think it is best if you get a feel for it this way first.

72bajaben · Post by **72bajaben** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:43 pm

thanks. i also found out that i had my cylinder numbering wrong. i was working on the idea that it was

2....1
4....3

but i found out that it is

3....1
4....2

so next weekend i will see how it goes.

Post by **david58** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:29 am

Scott that was really good info I thought I was the only one that cheated at valve adjusting.

turboblue · Post by **turboblue** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 7:44 am

Here is a procedure I have on my website.
It is a little overkill but I wrote it so the special lady in your life could adjust the valves on your VW engine......

It is for a Beetle but off road cars are done the same way.

http://davisracing.com/valve%20adj.htm

Post by **Leatherneck** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:04 am

Ok, I have one for ya, so on a street vehicle it is valve adjustment every 3K what about off-road vehicles? I know it depends on useage but every couple of trips, 4 trips,35, 141 1/2 out what is it man I gots to know! What is the S.W.A.G.

turboblue · Post by **turboblue** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:10 am

Leatherneck wrote:Ok, I have one for ya, so on a street vehicle it is valve adjustment every 3K what about off-road vehicles? I know it depends on useage but every couple of trips, 4 trips,35, 141 1/2 out what is it man I gots to know! What is the S.W.A.G.

So what determines a "trip"?
We went for a woods buggy ride yesterday and spent about 5 hours riding.
Some trips to the dunes might be several days........

IMHO I would try to do it every oil change on an off road buggy.

scott the viking · Post by **scott the viking** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:20 am

turboblue wrote:
Leatherneck wrote:Ok, I have one for ya, so on a street vehicle it is valve adjustment every 3K what about off-road vehicles? I know it depends on useage but every couple of trips, 4 trips,35, 141 1/2 out what is it man I gots to know! What is the S.W.A.G.
So what determines a "trip"?
We went for a woods buggy ride yesterday and spent about 5 hours riding.
Some trips to the dunes might be several days........

IMHO I would try to do it every oil change on an off road buggy.

Yep...that is what I do.

Post by **Leatherneck** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:30 am

I know this is not a big deal and what it comes down to is do it as often as you feel nescecary. And after you have been doing it awhile you will know the routine for your type of riding. Just wanted to know what others thought best.

On oil changes I have only been to the dunes twice and I do an oil change each time afterwards, I figure if the sand can get into parts of me it does not belong then I know the engine is sucking it up somewhere. And woods riding it depends on how hot or muddy it might be.

bajaherbie · Post by **bajaherbie** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:31 am

you mean we should change the oil?

my brother-in-law the lawyer told me that he drove his 63 beetle all thru college and NEVER changed the oil. he only kept adding oil to it....

i'd hate to see the sump screen on that one.

scott the viking · Post by **scott the viking** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 11:56 am

Most of them use so much (or leak so much) that it never has a chance to get old...I mean...if you're adding a quart a week...it's pretty much fresh all the time.

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:23 pm

I'm a compulsive valve adjuster and oil changer... except for my daily driver cars...

500 miles on the dubs.. never on my crudbox chevy.

thrown_hammer · Post by **thrown_hammer** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 1:47 pm

I thought I was the only one who "cheated" when I adjusted my valves...

Theo · Post by **Theo** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:37 pm

I set the valves on my brother’s rail this weekend so this is fresh.

One trick to find TDC. The cylinder you are working on is at TDC if the opposite cylinder has both valves moving. So #1 is at TDC when #3’s valves are both moving. If you rotate the pulley +-5 degrees around TDC you will see the intake and exhaust moving on #3.

For #1 to be at TDC then #3’s valves will be moving.
For #2 to be at TDC then #4’s valves will be moving.
For #3 to be at TDC then #1’s valves will be moving.
For #4 to be at TDC then #2’s valves will be moving.

This is the simplest way to find TDC that I know.

Theo

subybaja · Post by **subybaja** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 2:43 pm

...and since we're on the subject of cheating...
Going with your theory of anywhere on the base circle, Scott, how about this:
Set to TDC. One side will have one valve depressed and 3 free, the other side will have 3 depressed and 1 free. Adjust all 4 free ones. Turn engine over. Depressed/free will be reversed. Set other 4. Done.
Sound OK?