When adjusting valve lash...what do I need?

[Losiracer2]

Okay its been 15K miles since I last had a shop adjust the valve lash. I paid them too much...that was before i knew about this site...Anyway, what tools would I need to do this job? And would I need to replace the VCG afterward? or can i reuse the old one if its not leaking? And anyone know the specs of the intake/exhaust valves need to be adjusted to? Thanks

[9tAkord]

For adjusting the valve lash on an f22a motor you will need a 10mm box wrench, flat head screw driver and a set of feeler gauge. It is recommend to change you valve cover gasket everytime you open it. The valve clearance specs. is under your hood on one of the labels. I believe it's 0.010 in. on the intake valves and it's 0.012 in. on the exhaust valves...

[js593]

I just used my old gasket. No problems so far. I just made sure all oil residu was off the gasket, and used a little bit of RTV in desired locations (mainly in the bends)

[Mjfan12]

how simple is this to do? my only concern is that i will loosen too much and the valve might fall into the cylinder. is that possible to do?

[93cb7alldway]

This will never happen even you loosen the valve tappet adjusting srew and nut all d way

[owequitit]

Make sure the temp is below 90* F when you adjust them. It IS temperature sensitive.

[Fake Thug]

yeah. Like He^ said. Make sure the engine is cold and adjust the valves for each cylinder in the firing order. 1342 I think. I usually turn the motor (plugs out)at the power steering pump with a 19m and use the long screwdriver in the spark plug tube hole method to find TDC.

[Losiracer2]

cool! I will use this advice wisely. now all I need is a feeler gauge. I'll go pick that up today sometime.

[Losiracer2]

BUMP and I need a little help. i'm doing this now...um so the intake valves are towards the back for the cylinders correct? I'm pretty sure I've got it at TDC, but how do i make positive that I'm at TDC? b/c its pretty hard/not possible to insert the feeler gauge into the intake valve for cyl. 1 right now.

[Fake Thug]

BUMP and I need a little help. i'm doing this now...um so the intake valves are towards the back for the cylinders correct? I'm pretty sure I've got it at TDC, but how do i make positive that I'm at TDC? b/c its pretty hard/not possible to insert the feeler gauge into the intake valve for cyl. 1 right now.

Intake valves toward the firewall. You got the VC off. So look at the cam gear. It will have an arrow pointing straight up(12 o clock) when the #1 cylinder is at top dead center. Remember the motor tilts back a lil, so it should be straight up in line with the motor.

Also If you have a long screwdriver or 10" 3/8th drive extension you can stick in the spark plug hole. Turn the motor counter clockwise until you feel the piston push up agaisnt it and as soon as the extension bar/screwdriver reaches all the way to top thats TDC. You do two intake valves and two exhaust per cylinder. Then move on to #3. Find TDc for #3 and repeat.

[Losiracer2]

Intake valves toward the firewall. You got the VC off. So look at the cam gear. It will have an arrow pointing straight up(12 o clock) when the #1 cylinder is at top dead center. Remember the motor tilts back a lil, so it should be straight up in line with the motor.

Also If you have a long screwdriver or 10" 3/8th drive extension you can stick in the spark plug hole. Turn the motor counter clockwise until you feel the piston push upagaisnt it and as soon as the extension bar/screwdriver reaches all the way to top thats TDC. You do two intake valves and two exhaust per cylinder. Then move on to #3. Find TDc for #3 and repeat.

so the feeler goes where exactly? in between the springs and the adjustment screw? I'm really getting confused

[Losiracer2]

and do i need to loosen the lock nuts before adjusting them? i don't understand what exactly to do. I even removed the timing cover and left side motor mount to get a better view at it.

[accorddrifter]

if you lift up on the rocker arm there is a small gap between the adjustment screw and the valve stem that is where the feeler gauge goes. and when you tighten the adjustment screw only tighten it so that when you try and move the feeler you get a bit of resistance not a lot. tighten the nut and recheck that the resistance is the same

Edit: yes you do need to loosen the nut

[Losiracer2]

if you lift up on the rocker arm there is a small gap between the adjustment screw and the valve stem that is where the feeler gauge goes. and when you tighten the adjustment screw only tighten it so that when you try and move the feeler you get a bit of resistance not a lot. tighten the nut and recheck that the resistance is the same

Edit: yes you do need to loosen the nut

oh I see, mine are so tight that they won't even allow the feeler gauge to go in there. So you loosen the nut to allow the feeler to have a slight drag on it from the valve stem?

[Losiracer2]

so do you loosen it by twisting the threaded part w/ a flat head while holding the 10mm wrench on the nut, or is the nut supposed to loosen while you hold the threaded part?