Posted by Vassilios Kalantzakos on April 08, 2002 at 22:12:30:
In Reply to: How to Adjust your Valves: posted by HAL POLLNER on April 02, 2002 at 07:07:10:
Hal,
Thanks for the informative description of how to adjust the valves. But I have a question:
Is there any way to verify that the piston is at TDC other than checking the freeplay of the rockers?
I tried the procedure on my Savage a month ago. When I first alinged the index mark on the notch, there was no space between the adjusting screw and the valves (neither exhaust nor intake), the feeler gauge wouldn't go through and there was no freeplay, naturally. I then thought the piston is not at TDC of compression stroke and I gave it one more turn (360 degrees). I was able then to slide the feeler between the screw and the valves (both exhaust and intake) but the rockers wouldn't move! No freeplay, apart from a very slight feeling that the rockers moved a tenth of a millimeter or so, I wouldn't call it freeplay anyway.
Is that normal?
I have a suspicion that a so-called mechanic who would adjust the valves a year ago messed things up. He could possiby have the valves adjusted when the piston was at TDC, but NOT at compression stroke. I have done 2000 km since then and the valves have been noisy, but the engine works OK. Would it be possible if the valve adjustment was wrong 2000 km. ago? But then, if everything is fine how come I have no freeplay at the rocker arms?
Finally a question about the noise: The clearence is rather near to .005 than .003 (a bit wide), would this make noisy valves? Should I bother to re-adjust?
Thank you for your time to read and answer this!