Valve Adjust short cut

When adjusting the valves you need to rotate the engine slightly for each valve. Most people usually either put it in neutral or lift the front of the car and then put a wrench on the crank bolt.

A little trick I learned from my volvo buddies when I had my '71 1800E with push rods and solid lifters, was with the plugs removed, put the car in 4th gear and just rotate the drive wheel. You can watch the valves move and stop exactly where you want them to. This can be done with wheels on the ground and just push the car forward (about 6" for each valve), or if in the air, just rotate the drive wheel while watching (moving the wheel the same way as it would when the car is moving forward.)

If you are in your garage and run out of space, put it in neutral, push it back, then put it back in 4th and proceed.

Makes a valve adjust go very quickly.

Hope that helps

Comments

  • Good tip, might have to try that one of these days. Sure im due for a valve adjust, car has 242K on it. Just another thing on my list of to do's :D
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