shmucklebuckle

New question: I got a couple of the lifters/buckets mixed up when I pulled the cam. If they're all hydraulic, is there any harm to be done by just putting them back in without knowing which valve they came from?


Previously answered: I'm replacing my headgasket and all the seals above it, and I thought it would be a good idea to check the valve clearances while I'm in here, but I can't figure out how I would get a feeler gauge between the cam and the bucket when the "valve cover" actually holds the cam in place (in my way!). Usually (on other motors ) the valve covers are pulled, and the cam is held in place, like this:


Am I supposed to sneak it in through the six holes on top of the cover, or?

Also, does anyone know what the clearances should be for the 8 valve motor?

I know I'm at least the 4th head gasket job this month, so someone's gotta know! I'm surprised Clark's Garage doesn't cover how to check the valves, too.

Dmitry S.

Hydraulic valves do not need to be adjusted or checked for proper clearance.

seb928s

Wrong car. They are not adjustable. We have hydraulically controlled lifters.

shmucklebuckle

Oh. well ok. That's wonderful Thanks guys.

I feel only marginally stupid now for asking! hahaha. Since they're hydraulically controlled, there's no need to change shims, so what could potentially go wrong if, say, two of the buckets started to slip out on me when I pulled the cam housing (all in theory, of course ), and I didn't know which bucket belonged to which valve?

Charlotte944

Since you have the engine apart here is a tip:
Leave the spark plugs out and pull the DME relay. Fill the crankcase with oil, and fill the cooling system with coolant. Use the starter to turn the engine over until you get oil pressure. This will help "pump up" the lifters and get oil to other critical parts. Once you have oil pressure you can install the plugs, install the DME relay, and fire up the engine. You may hear some lifter noise but that should go away after a few seconds.

shmucklebuckle

Good tip, thanks.

jmporsche944

I mixed up my lifters the first time i pulled the head on my car and I had no ill effects after putting them in different spots.

Stephenwz968

Jeff-not to hijack the thread, but we've gotta get together!

Steve

jmporsche944

Yes steve we do! The turbo is in the body shop right now, but its probably getting a little late in the season to be driving our cars anyway. I know rolexnj and wpmada would both like to have lunch too. We need to talk and setup a date!

Jay W

I also mixed most of my cam followers up on my 924S (accidentally, and a couple actually fell to the ground) and I put 30,000 + miles on the engine after that work. No problems for me. It is best to keep them where they came from and not drop them though. I had left a wire connected and when I pulled up on the head and was ready to catch the followers, the connected wire caught and made me almost drop the head.

shmucklebuckle

Thanks Jeff.

Now that's what I want to hear. 30k mi and no problems. I did almost the same thing. I disconnected everything, but wasn't sure what to expect when I lifted the cam housing up, so most of them stayed in, but a couple started to fall out and a friend used a magnetic wand to pick them up from my hands below (while I'm trying to hold the cam housing) and 1 from on top of a header.

At this point I don't expect any issues...off to paint engine parts

tod84944

I always get them mixed up on the cars that I replace the heads on or do head gasket jobs. Never had any problem afterwards.

Jay W

Glad I could help. Just make sure the one that hit the header didnt get scratched or have a burr on it . I really doubt it does if it only got to the header but it never hurts to check.

shmucklebuckle

I've looked close at them already, and will check again before it goes back together. I haven't seen any marks yet. It didn't fall with much impact at all, since my hands were under the cam housing and it mostly "rolled" out from my fingers.

wice.lt

Same here. Mixed them up and was worried about it, but no ill effect. I did prime them before putting them back. I used a syringe with motor oil and I injected each of the lifters (through that little hole on a side) with oil. They were silent from the get go. 2000 miles and all good so far.