230 Valve Adjustment

[Nailhead]

I just looked in the online service manuals, and can't find clearances & procedures for valve adjustment.

I can't remember, but these aren't shim-&-bucket, are they? I wouldn't think so, but then you never know.

Anyway, I'd like to at least check my valve clearances. Any help appreciated profusely, as always.

[Don Cavey]

Seems to me it is .008" Intake and Exhaust. I will see if I can find it. Don't adjust with the engine running. You will have a huge mess to clean up!

[Don Cavey]

It is in the -34 manual. It says to adjust with the engine idling. Intake and Exhaust are both .008" warm engine. However... if you do adjust with the engine running, oil will spray all over the place.

"YOU ARE WARNED!"

I did try that one time...

[Don Cavey]

Figure 3-60. Adjusting Valve Clearance

1 Socket wrench
2 Feeler gauge


A suitable shield should be installed over the camshaft sprocket to prevent excessive oil splash and to protect the mechanic from being injured by opening the timing chain.

(3) Four 3/8-24 nuts and four 3/8 washers should be installed on four cam bearing deck studs to hold rocker arm guide in position while adjusting the valve clearance.
(4) Insert gap gage between valve stem and rocker arm pad and adjust to 0.008-inch clearance. Adjust intake and exhaust valve rocker arms for all six cylinders in this manner.
(5) Install rocker arm cover gasket and cover.
i. Check ignitor.
j. Adjust carburetor.
k. Set ignition timing. Refer to TM 9-2320-244-20.
1. With engine warm re-torque cylinder head and manifolds. Check cylinder head gasket and all head bolts for leaks.

Per the -34 manual...

[jeepdan]

It is in the -34 manual. It says to adjust with the engine idling. Intake and Exhaust are both .008" warm engine. However... if you do adjust with the engine running, oil will spray all over the place.

"YOU ARE WARNED!"

I did try that one time...

I tried it also LOL. Never again.
I even made a jury rigged guard to catch the oil flinging from the timing chain gear/gear, but the cooling fan still blew oil everywhere.
Maybe my home made guard was too jury rigged

The specs are in that one certain online manual at the top.
Just do it this way.
Remove the flywheel cover so that you can rotate the engine by hand with one of the tools that hook on the ring gear, and check clearances with the engine NOT running after you have it warmed up.
Pretty easy to do.

[Don Cavey]

...
Pretty easy to do.

Yup...

[Nailhead]

There is no way I'd attempt a valve adjustment with an idling engine: .008 is good enough for me.That sounds to me like torquing your lug nuts while you're driving down the the road.

Thank you very much as always. I really do appreciate the ongoing help.

[Don Cavey]

My valves were clattering when I got the truck. So, I just rotated the engine several times and adjusted them. I still have one that is a little loud. Guess I didn't have it on the right part of the cam. One day I will check them again. I just hate to disturb my non-leaking valve cover (I think they call it a rocker arm cover).

[Nailhead]

My valves were clattering when I got the truck. So, I just rotated the engine several times and adjusted them. I still have one that is a little loud. Guess I didn't have it on the right part of the cam. One day I will check them again. I just hate to disturb my non-leaking valve cover (I think they call it a rocker arm cover).

I have one that is pretty loud. It's what prompted my question.

At least, I hope it's valve noise.

[Don Cavey]

I have one that is pretty loud. It's what prompted my question.

At least, I hope it's valve noise.

Probably is. When you take of the valve cover, you can wiggle the cam followers (rocker arms) and some will be rather loose. Of course, you will have to rotate the engine a few degrees several times to eventually get the cam follower on the low side of the cam lobe.