I'm going to adjust the valves tomorrow, 1st time with the motor in. Do I need to remove the HE's??

Only if your a 10th degree black belt masochist. Use my vlave adjustment method mentioned in the "Classic Threads".

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=28758

Have fun! The Cap'n

have fun!

small hands help

You know what they say about small hands.....Aaron

from the have fun comment I gather it's not but I have to get er done!

dang!! I got big hands, oh well you know what they say about big hands and feet??(if only it were trueLOL)

Piece of cake. When I am planning a valve adjustment I put it up the night before on the ramps so I do not have to start the engine in the morning. Takes about 20 to 40 minutes depending how much I screw around. Seems awkward at first but you get the hang of it rather quickly. Do the Capt's and there is an article on the Pelican site too.

20 to 40 min?? that's pretty quick, seems like it would take longer. I will find out tomorrow

Keep some pocket change handy.... A coin is handy up/under there for turning the adjuster in that short space.

Neat trick, I will give that a shot next time I do my valves. Even with a stubby driver it is pretty cramped trying to lock down the nut and hold the adjuster at the same time.

a penny and an offset sloted screwdriver are your friends...

with a header and cro-mo pushrods, it takes me 7-10 minutes

If yopu use a 1/4" tip screwdriver, or even a 3/8 tip, between 12 and 18" long, you can get right in there from the outside. All 8 of 'em. Trust me, I've been doing this for 33 years. An offset wrench is nice, too.

One like this (sorry for the crude attempt at drawing!)

__
\______________
\__

Mine's an old SK, but I'm sure there are others. The Cap'n

Edit: The picture didn't work! Oh, well .............

I highly recommend the Pelican article for a 1st timer. The turning the wheel from underneath the car trick is a great time saver.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/9...alve_adjust.htm

Time saver? Only takes 3 times as long as my way. Even with all the valves out, I can do them in 10 minutes, covers on to covers on. Of course, I've done a zillion, and I use a lift. My way is just simpler. Period. The Cap'n

The version posted in the classic thread somewhat requires that people know what they are doing. I just think the Pelican article with all of it's step by step instructions and purty pictures is better for a first timer.

I have no idea when my valves were last adjusted. The PO had never even heard of valve adjustment. I'm in denial cuz I'm antidimated* intimidated.




*Edit: antidimated?

**EditEdit:
And now you see why

You do want to be sure you have solid lifters, not hydrualic ones like me. Hydro lifters are ~supposed~ to be set & forget, and thats pretty true, but it is kinda annoying to get 'em all screwed up using the traditional valve adjust method. So now is they question "how do I know if they are solid or hydraulic?" and as far as I know the best indicator is the use of a spring in the center part of the rocker assembly holding the valves in place on hydraulic lifter conversions. Another apparent characteristic is that the hydro lifters will compress a little when pressed on. This topic has been addressed here and at pelicanparts pretty completely.

first time i did it was about 30 minutes....

did it again last tuesday with the headers off in about 10.

i really like dave hunts explanation of the procedure. really clicked for me. your mileage may vary....

cheers,

scott

valve adjustment

As far as screw drivers to use, the tiny (about 1" total length) 1/4" tipped screw drivers in the buckets at Harbor Freight for $.49 would probably work quite well here.

Just my $.02