I adjusted my valves and....

[big_b]

I adjusted the valves /rockers on my 1977 AQ130D

WHen I first did it I must have overtightened and had ) compression.

I did them all again and made sure all were at the correct lash and now no tapping and it runs smoother than it ever has ... (does not vibrate the boat)

My concern is the compression gage reads 10-20PSI lower now ... but it runs and sounds great ... I tried to loosen the exhaust valves some (forward rocker on each cylinder) and compression jumped up some but it tapped really bad ....


Any suggestions ? Should I just leave as is ?

I know the motor is pretty tired and is probably due for a rebuild . It doesn't use any oil ansd still revs to over 5,000RPM easily

It evens idles alot better now ...

 

[big_b]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

Maybe I overtightened them .. If I didn't though .. what else can be wrong ?

Also ... how do I determine the compression stroke ?

I know both valves are closed .. but they also are on the power stroke too right ?

Thanks !

 

[JustJason]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

3 Questions....

1. When you did the valves, was the motor hot or cold?
2. wydtv, did you have the camshaft 180 degrees out from the tip of the lobe... or just somewhat off the lobe.
3. wydtv, are you using feeler gauges, and if so do you know how to use them and what "light drag" means?

They shouldn't really tick if adjusted properly (but all valvetrains are a little noisey anyways, so everyones definition of tick can be a bit different). But you also shouldn't lose a single pound of compression too.

 

[big_b]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

Jason,

I really appreciate your response .. I am trying to get this right before tomorrow..

1. When you did the valves, was the motor hot or cold?

I did it warm .. now I read I need to do it cold ?

2. wydtv, did you have the camshaft 180 degrees out from the tip of the lobe... or just somewhat off the lobe.

I took out Spark plug #1 and found top dead center with both intake and exhaust rocker valves "up"


3. wydtv, are you using feeler gauges, and if so do you know how to use them and what "light drag" means?

How do I use feeler gages ? the push rod and the bottom of the rocker screw are like a ball and the fit togather .. How do I get a feeler gage in there?
I adjusted them so that they feel a little resistance with I spin the push rods and then tightened a quarter turn passed that ..


Am I missing something .. sorry but this is the first time I have adjusted the valves on any motor ...

 

[JustJason]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

I originally thought this was an OHV motor with tappet rockers, so I took a quick peek at the manual and it's not OHV, but does use tappets and I believe they are solid lifters.

Have you downloaded the service manual from the "Adults only" section and read the correct procedure yet? If not, do so, and just follows the steps in order 1 by 1. If you don't understand a step just note the page number of the manual down and ask here about a specfic step.

 

[big_b]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

I have downloaded the manual and I have a AQ130D and the manual only goes to C but was told they are identical ..

In the manual it says use gages to check clearance .. but I cannot .. So I assume I need to not use gages and then just check lash with the spinning of the push rod ?

 

[big_b]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

Seems like I need to have someone on here with a service manual show me the steps from there manual ..

 

[JustJason]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

The ABCD models are all identical on the inside, and all will work fine for what your looking to do.

Now you made me pull the manual and read it

Page 17, bottom right corner, is the procedure for doing the job.

In the manual it says use gages to check clearance .. but I cannot ..

Why can't you? Because you don't own them? You do need tools to work on the engine ya know. BTW, you can get a set of feeler gauges from Sears, they are not much money. And you can get straight ones or 45 degree ones, depending on what job your doing. I've got 4 or 5 sets of feeler gauges sitting in my toolbox.

So I assume I need to not use gages and then just check lash with the spinning of the push rod ?

Why on earth would you assume that?

Checking valve lash by spinning the push rod is how you set a hydraulic valve system.
You do not have a hydraulic valve system. You have a mechancal valve system. They operate, and you maintain them, 2 different ways.

You need feeler gauges my friend. And it's fairly simple they way Volvo wants you do it. They use the GO/NO GO way, which takes the guess work out of it.

 

[SeanMcl]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

Why can't you? Because you don't own them?

How do I use feeler gages ? the push rod and the bottom of the rocker screw are like a ball and the fit togather .. How do I get a feeler gage in there?

Sounds like he can't physically get his feeler gauges in the spot. Is there a special set for doing this job?

 

[JustJason]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

You put the gauge in between the top of the valve and the bottom of the rocker......

 

[big_b]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

Sean/Jason,

That is right the top of the push rod is like a ball and where that hits the rocker is also rounded .. there is no way to get a flat shim gage in there to check it ...

Sorry I am just not getting this very well ... just wanted to get rid of the tap without losing compression ...

So is the manual even right about what valves to adjust when Cyl #1 is TDC ?

SInce both valves are closed on power and compression stroke .. does it matter what stroke I adjust on since they are both closed ?

How do I figure what stroke is compression and what is power ? watch the intake valve open then the next is compression ?

 

[daydreamer1252]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

bigb

It seems to me that the point is being missed....Valve lash in this engine configuration is measured between the top of the valve stem and the rocker arm and that is where the feeler gauge is used....it is not measured at the ball where the adjuster screw is....justjason mentioned that.....and your last post looked like you missed that very important point.....hope this helps with the confusion....

 

[sully73]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

you dont check the gap on the rocker arm/pushrod contact point bud, ya gotta check it at the valve/rocker arm point. the top of the valve is flat and pretty much so is the rocker arm where it contacts the valve. that is the spot to use the feeler guage to check for clearance, not where the pushrod is.

 

[big_b]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

gosh I feel stupid ... I know what you mean now!! I was thinking the other side of the rocker ...

So I probably have these to tight right now ..


My last question How can I tell I am on the compression stroke?

I could follow the valves and see when the intake closes and then the next should be compression ... but can anyone tell me what valve is the intake and what valve is the exhaust on each cylnder ? The first one or the second one from front ?


When the valve is closed then the rocker side of the push rod is down and the spring is extended right ? If that is the case I have it way off on my adjustment !

 

[Alpheus]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

After you get the valves set right, perform a leak down test to make sure your valves are fully closed...

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

On most engines, the first valve of the two valve set is the intake. However, it might be easier to follow the intake runner on the intake manifold that leads right to the valve. The exhaust valve will be in line with the exhaust manifold runners.

 

[jagilbert]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

re: how do you know compression stroke - Look at bond-o's avitar or here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Yx32F1cncg to see the the relationship of the valve positions to which stroke its on. You can also use it to figure out which valve is intake and exhaust. I don't know if its uniform. for example it could be like ie ei ie ei. Hopefully someone else will know for sure.

 

[JustJason]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

You don't evenneed to know whch valve is ntake or exhaust. Just read the manual and it will tell you which valves to do when the engine is on number 1 tdc and which valves to do on #4. Just count the valves from front to back... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8....

To find #1 tdc compression stroke, pull all the sparkplugs and disable the ignitiion system. Then place your finger over the #1 hole, bump the starter until you feel compression. after that spin the motor by hand until the line on the harmonic balancer lines up wth the 0 notch on the timing tab on the t-chain cover.

 

[daydreamer1252]

Re: I adjusted my valves and....

I have always found easiest way on a conventional (old) in line 4 cylinder engines is to watch the valves as you turn the engine...when the valves on #4 are at the transition point.... the rockers changing from depressing the intake to depressing the exhaust then #1 is at TDC and ready to be adjusted, when #1 is transitioning #4 is ready, #2 @ transition adjust #3 and when 3 adjust #2.

This was learned from a true MASTER MECHANIC who learned his trade in the German army in WWII and who settled here after spending most of the war in a US prison camp. He knew his stuff and even after being in the automotive service business for over 30 years have not seen his equal still. This method has not failed me in over 40 years. Not the instructions in the manual but easy to remember......