Valve adjustment using dial guage
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Coronal Del Mar, California
Valve adjustment using dial guage
I'm about to do my first valve adjustment on my '90 C2 as part of a 60k service. I've read many articles about the valve adjustment procedure but I can't find any that cover adjusting the valves using a dial guage with the engine in the car.
My questions are -
1) Is it possible to do the valve adjustment on a '90 C2 with the engine in the car using a dial gauge?
2) Can anyone suggest where to purchase an appropriate dial guage and fittings for this procedure? I have heard that the standard dial guage is too big for som eof the more awkward valves.
TIA,
Doug
My questions are -
1) Is it possible to do the valve adjustment on a '90 C2 with the engine in the car using a dial gauge?
2) Can anyone suggest where to purchase an appropriate dial guage and fittings for this procedure? I have heard that the standard dial guage is too big for som eof the more awkward valves.
TIA,
Doug
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From: Weldon Spring, Missouri
Hey Doug,
I had the same thought when adjusting my valves last winter. Since being an old machinist, I have a variety of dial indicators and gauges, and felt that it could be done.
However, I found several things stand in the way of using a dial indicator, and doing a good job.
1) With the oil film on the part surfaces, you don't get a true solid feeling for the clearances. You will end up with slightly more slop than you measure.
2) If your engine is in the car, it will be a devil of a time setting up and seeing the indicator movement on the forward cylinders.
3) There was never a good method, (or at least I could not find one) to mount the indicator on a solid surface. I had several size magnetic bases, and never could get it seated well enough to have good indicator movement.
4) I could not get the indicator in place, then make an adjustment with the wrench, without messing up the original set-up of the indicator, So it caused me to have doubts about the accuracy and reproducibility of it all.
There may be some special tools out there, or you could make one, to hold a small indicator like an Interapid or other "last word" type gauges. I have seen people use one on cars like the MGB, where the valves are all on the top of the engine, and are all vertical. However, I found that basically, there is not enough room in the engine compartment to do a good adjustment job with the dial indicator. Maybe it will work on a rebuilt engine on an engine stand.
If you find a way to do it, by all means let me know.
Steve
I had the same thought when adjusting my valves last winter. Since being an old machinist, I have a variety of dial indicators and gauges, and felt that it could be done.
However, I found several things stand in the way of using a dial indicator, and doing a good job.
1) With the oil film on the part surfaces, you don't get a true solid feeling for the clearances. You will end up with slightly more slop than you measure.
2) If your engine is in the car, it will be a devil of a time setting up and seeing the indicator movement on the forward cylinders.
3) There was never a good method, (or at least I could not find one) to mount the indicator on a solid surface. I had several size magnetic bases, and never could get it seated well enough to have good indicator movement.
4) I could not get the indicator in place, then make an adjustment with the wrench, without messing up the original set-up of the indicator, So it caused me to have doubts about the accuracy and reproducibility of it all.
There may be some special tools out there, or you could make one, to hold a small indicator like an Interapid or other "last word" type gauges. I have seen people use one on cars like the MGB, where the valves are all on the top of the engine, and are all vertical. However, I found that basically, there is not enough room in the engine compartment to do a good adjustment job with the dial indicator. Maybe it will work on a rebuilt engine on an engine stand.
If you find a way to do it, by all means let me know.
Steve
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Coronal Del Mar, California
Steve,
Thanx for the reply. I was concerned that space would be the issue. I'll use the feeler method first time and while I'm in there I'll figure out if it's possible with a custom guage set up for the next time - but it sounds like you've found this isn't really practical...
I used to race Minis a long time ago and used a dial guage to set the tappets but as you know they're all at the top of the engine with easy access.....
Doug
Thanx for the reply. I was concerned that space would be the issue. I'll use the feeler method first time and while I'm in there I'll figure out if it's possible with a custom guage set up for the next time - but it sounds like you've found this isn't really practical...
I used to race Minis a long time ago and used a dial guage to set the tappets but as you know they're all at the top of the engine with easy access.....
Doug