Valve Rocker clearance

[Keith Clements]

Here is my quick way to do in two revs of the crankshaft.

Mark the crank pulley at TDC on 1 and 2 (check against flywheel). Starting with crank at TDC on No 1/2. Then move through quarter of a turn when No 2 Inlet and No 3 Exhaust should be closed . If they are not then move through a further full turn when they should be. At this point No 1 Inlet and No 4 exhaust should be open.

No 2 Inlet and No 3 Exhaust should be closed and thus you should be able to rotate the push rods. If not, then adjust until you can. If you have to adjust more than half a turn suspect you put something back in the wrong place! Adjust to desired clearance.

Then rotate through half a turn and adjust No3 Inlet and No1 Exhaust.
Then rotate through half a turn and adjust No1 Inlet and No4 Exhaust.
Then rotate through half a turn and adjust No4 Inlet and No2 Exhaust.

I have marked each push rod with cylinder number and whether Inlet or Exhaust. Sensible to also mark cam followers and rocker shaft when disassembling.

I found this method less confusing than trying to watch valves going up and down! The key is adjusting at 90 degrees from TDC on each cylinder that is at 90, 270, 450, and 630 degrees from the start point.