Vlocity

I have been dreading my first Valve adjustment....but this pushed me to give it a try.

Can't wait.

Thanks,

Ken

springer3

It still depends on your technique.

Sorry this is a poor camera phone picture. My good camera got left at a friends place 100 miles away. The photo shows the 0.1 mm setting spot-on. Zero on the dial is just above my pinkie knuckle, and that is where the pointer was before I moved the rocker into contact with the cam. The only way I have found to get within 5% of the specificaton (0.005 mm) on the dial indicator is to make micro-adjustments by barely loosening the jam nut, moving the stud the smallest amount possible, and then re-snug the jam nut. It takes two or three tries to settle on the optimal setting.

How close with a feeler gage? Never within 0.005 mm. 0.02 mm too open is typical because the blade feels stuck when the setting is close. With best technique on valves easy-to-reach, I can get to 0.11 mm pretty consistently. The intake valve behind the now-gone PS pump was at 0.16 mm on the dial indicator.

How close with the Bennett tool? Better than the feeler gage - 0.08 mm to 0.12 mm, or +/- 20%. The problem is gettng the jam nut snugged down without upsetting the turn angle. Valves run cooler at 0.12 mm than at 0.08 mm, so you need to cross-check with a feeler gage or else make sure the pointer shows at or greater than 36 degrees when done. Even my valve at 0.16 mm did not make a ticking noise, so you are OK if you get a little to wide.

A decent dial indicator and the Z-block adapter costs little compared to a valve job. If you do your own valves you should invest in the tool. If you pay someone, you should insist they use one to check their work. The Bennett tool is the fastest and more accurate way to get a good setting, and that is what I will use from now on. I used the dial indicator during my last adjustment two years ago. I needed to adjust only three valves this time. Two were at 0.09 mm, and the intake behind the PS pump was at 0.16 mm. The rest were still within 0.005 mm of spec and I left them alone. The dial actually speeds the process, since most valves are not adjusted. I also learned I could have safely gone another year without adjusting them, but it was worth it to catch the one that was 60% off spec.

elbeee964

Thanks, springer!

You just gave me the incentive to hit Harbor Freight on the way home tonight for a cheapo dial indicator. (w/ matching cheapo mounting base, of course.)

Next valve adjust, I'll be comparing adjustments 3 ways from Sunday (literally!)


edit:
In-store price is $5 higher on both. $30 for both out the door. Acceptable quality, I reckon.

springer3

Wow - that is really cheap. I think you might have some trouble finding a place to mount the magnetic base. The Z block is a Porsche speciality that bolts to the nearest valve cover stud, and the hole for the indicator is aligned with the rocker arm/valve.

If you can mount the magnetic base, it will be useful to use as the pointer reference for the Bennett tool.

elbeee964

well, I remove the side tins, so I can magnetically 'stick' to the fuel rail, adjacent rocker tops (perhaps), adjacent body (with some duct tape over the base for paint protection)... etc?

I'm just sitting here and without having gone home to the garage to discern magneto-bits in the vicinity, but I don't think that'll be a trouble...

[...he says -- opening wide fate's crushing contrarian nature to all his "it's-obvious-even-to-the-most-casual-observer" recollections]

springer3

Let us know how the magnetic base works. I think you will end up with the Z block mount. Fast, cheap and accurate. It is like getting 3 mints in one.

DWS964

Part number / Source / Cost for the Z block mount? Will it work with any dial indicator?
It is not yet time for a valve adj, but I like accumulating gizmo's.

dfinnegan

Pelican Parts PEL-TOL-P207

I also found one one ebay for $29, though I don't see it now. It was an MKMAK, or some such. The picture was the same, but who knows with ebay.

dfinnegan

ZDMAK on ebay

Kaefer

Payment sent. Thanks for making these!

DWS964

Thanks, dfinnegan, I will add this to my list for Santa. Maybe there will not be room for that lump of coal this year.

tbennett017

Hi guys, quick update. The screwdrivers are all produced, and ready to ship. I just need to wait for the boxes to arrive, and they should be going out on-schedule. I have about 6 extra left of this production run, if anyone wants to get in on it.

I have some fully Hawt pictures of my wife working the lathe... She was a rockstar and helped out with production. I will post them whenever I can find the camera... its been a busy week.

http://tomnjudy.com/porsche/

Thanks!

dcbailey

Payment sent, thanks.

Clay

burgass

Payment sent, Thanks a lot!
burgass

Guards964

Just, checking, but have you sent these out? I hadn't gotten mine yet, and wondered how the shipping was going...no rush, just excited to get a new tool!!! Thanks Again for making these for us

Scott
'92 Guards Red C2