Topic: Valve Adjustment Q complete with picture!

[pegula]

I'm trying to do my first valve adjustment on my 72 350 and I've run into 2 questions.

1. The spec I have says the clearance should be .05mm, it looks like mine are currently about a quarter inch. Can that be or am I measuring the wrong thing? See attached (blurry) picture.

2. It says to adjust the clearance you remove the lock nut and turn the screw. What I think is the screw doesn't have a slot in the top to turn it -- it's just a square. Do I need a special tool? Just pliers? Or, again, am I looking at the wrong thing?

Many thanks

[sparty]

Seems to me that you are missing the nut and your tappet doesn't  have a screw slot, hmmmmm?.  My tappet clearly has a slot in the top for a screw driver and a nut below it.  Like you suggested your clearance is way too large.  Is this the way you sound it after you removed the tappet access hole bolt?  Do they all look like this?

[Sam Green Racing]

Some Hondas did come with square peg type tappet blocks, and would have had the tool to do the job in the tool kit.
A small spanner (wrench) can be used, or pliers if you must.

The locking nut does not need to be removed completely, just slackened enough to do the job.

I take it you have aligned the crankshaft to the correct position before taking the clearance measurment.

Sam.

[pegula]

Sorry, that picture is actually after I took the nut off ot the tappet screw. And yes, I think the crankshaft is aligned properly

Upon further inspection, I think I was measuring/looking at the wrong thing -- the clearance is actually the clearance between the screw and the bottom -- not between where the thing the screw goes into and the bottom? Does that sound right? That was a horrible non technical description, sorry I'm a rookie

So I think I have things figured out but I'm still getting the feel for using the feeler. I realize that .05mm is extremely small but should you actually be able to notice the movement that distance? After I did cyl #1 to what I think is correct, there is an extremly slight movement. None of the other ones (which I have not touched) move at all.

 Thanks!

[Bob Wessner]

but I'm still getting the feel for using the feeler

 

There would only be movement when the piston in question is at TDC, or top dead center (which is where you want it to be for adjustment). At that point the valves are closed and the there is not tension on the valve stems.

[Tim.]

Don't focus so much on measuring what they are now - work on adjusting them to what they need to be.

Remove the nut and loosen off the tappet.  Put your feeler gauge between the tappet and the valve stem.  Tighten down the tappet till it touches the feeler and holds it in place.  Tighten up the nut.  The feeler should be held in place, but you should be able to remove it without having to yank on it or haul on it.  The next size-up feeler gauge's nose should just notch into the gap at that point, but not actually fit between the tappet and valve.

Repeat repeat repeat, moving the engine to TDC as specified in your manual.

[DaveInTexas]

this is done cold?
0.002"?

[pegula]

Good deal, now that I have more of a game plan I think I'll be good to go tonight. Now if only I didn't have to go to work today

Thanks for the tips, I'll let you know how it goes!
Matthew

[Bob Wessner]

this is done cold?
0.002"?

Yes, and yes.

Intake - 0.002, Exhaust - 0.003

[Lumbee]

...and when it says cold, it means cold...that is, it should have been [at least] 8hrs since the motor has been ran...