Ok,
I have searched the posts and the sticky on valve lash clearances.

There seems to be some disagreement. I have a 1982 300sd and was going to adjust the valves myself for the first time this morning. I have let the mechanic do it before.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=116581&highlight=valve+adjustment+diagram

This post with diagram makes sense, but then folks are arguing about the clearances. Could someone more expert than myself give me a little help this morning? My engine is cold right now.

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

Reverend,

The valve lash is .004" on the intake valves and .014" on the exhaust valves. I'm assuming that you have feeler gauges with inch thicknesses.

I believe I have the metric feel gauges.
What are the metric measurements?

And I go between the cam lobe and the lifter correct?

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

In metric, the clearances are .10mm. for the intake valve and .35mm. for the exaust valve.

The gauge goes between the cam lobe and the rocker arm.

Thanks.

I appreciate the help very much.

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

Anytime.

Help is what we do here.

Hey Brian,

I looked at the pictorial on dieselgiant's site and printed that nifty diagram that was in the other post.

Why do those guys us .012 for the exhaust instead of .014?
I noticed in the pictorial that he was using a .012 feeler gauge.

Just curious. Is this the thing of it "settling in" later on?

I'm definitely still learning on this.

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

Russell is setting .012" for the non-turbo engine. The spec for the turbo is .014"

If you want to allow for "settling in", you should set the valve on the high side of .014".........say .015".

In reality, hitting he exact clearance is damn near impossible unless you want to spend all day. So, err on the high side. When you finally tighten the locknut, any clearance between .014" and .016" for the exhaust valve will be perfect.

Yeah, I just pulled up the service manual on CD.
I guess I go to the forum even before the service manual becasue the folks here know even more!

It said .10mm intake on cold engine
.35 exhaust on cold engine

Gotcha.

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

I've got the valve cover off. What is the best way to check the timing chain??

I know I need to be TDC. Do I just line up the marks on the harmonic balancer? Not sure how to check for stretch without a dial gauge.

everything looks ok as far as I can tell.
The sprocket tips are square and don't look worn down.
I guess this is good? 273k miles

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

Ok,
It is getting a little chilly. I have the valve cover off and this is the first time I have done this so forgive my stupidity.

I am trying to get the number one exhaust valve adjusted. The darn thing is so tight the feeler will not even budge in there. I have the two hazet wrenches on the nuts. Have loosened the top nut.

Which way do I turn the wrench on the bottom one to get the thing to loosen the clearance to let the feeler gauge in there?

I know this is a newbie question and I feel really stupid. I am learning today.
Thanks for any help.

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

dieselgiant.com has a diy on it.. the bolts should be your standard left loose right tight.. just dont put to much force on it

Yes,
I read and printed off the dieselgiant guide. He doesn't say which way to turn the nut to open up the clearance though. Mine are really tight. this might explain my big fuel mileage drop.

I can't even get the gauge in there.

__________________
1982 300SD Light Blue
2002 Honda Accord SE
1974 Toro Wheel Horse Tractor
2000 Toyota Tundra Pickup

After loosening the top nut, you turn the bottom one clockwise to open more clearance.

Joe B.

Hold the valve spring cap from turning and tighten the lower nut to compress the spring,( Clockwise ) to increase the valve clearence. Hold the lower nut and tighten top nut to set clearence.....as you tighten, the clearence will change depending on your ability to compensate for the locking action...recheck gap and adjust again untill you get the 'knack' of tightening and not changing the clearence.


.

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