My 1st DIY Valve Adjustment
 

After reading many threads on the subject I think I'm now ready to tackle the job.

While I have the camshaft cover off, what else should I be checking:
a) I read about timing chain, what should I be looking for? How tight should it be?

b) The gasket was replaced by the INDY last valve adjustment, should I be replacing it every time the cover is taken off?

c) I plan to detail the cover when it's off, any suggestion on what to use?

Thank you for your time.

DIY - 1st time Valve Adjustment Successful
 

It took me about 3 hours to do my first DIY valve adjustment that was done previously by an INDY some 24,000 km. ago.

With COLD engine, I found that ALL the INTAKE valves were within tolerance (.10 mm) and ALL the EXHAUST valves were tight (.35 mm) such that the filler gauge will not slide through. :confused:

To do the job, I heated and bent a pair of 14 mm open-ended wrenches (at 2 45* angles), replicating the factory tools. I purchased a remote starter which easily clipped on to the junction box on the right front fender for turning the engine - recommended. I purchased a new gasket but found the old one fine and reused it.

I tried to detail the camshaft cover with Mothers mag & aluminum polish but with little improvement. The 20 year old dullness and stain is sort of bugging me so I am contemplating on painting it candy red maybe, or having it professionally polished. Any suggestions?

Result: A much noticeable improvement in acceleration. It feels like the engine is breathing much easier :)

For next time, I will grind the homemade wrenches to make it thinner with the same thickness as the adjusting nut and weld an extension for more leverage.

I can answer and say yes. The first one is definitely exhaust.