Valve adjustment

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Christiane Hastert
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Valve adjustment

#1 Post by Christiane Hastert »

I need to make valve adjustment, which I never did on this engine, the link on the registry technical page does not seem to work, does anybody have a link that works for a detailed procedure?
Many thanks
Chris

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David Jones
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Re: Valve adjustment

#2 Post by David Jones »

If I had known I would live this long I would have pushed the envelope a little harder.
Cymru am byth
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Christiane Hastert
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Re: Valve adjustment

#3 Post by Christiane Hastert »

That was fast, could not be better explained, Thanks a lot

Dave Erickson
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Re: Valve adjustment

#4 Post by Dave Erickson »

One thing I would add if this is the first time you have adjusted valves on this car: loosen the nuts on the adjusters and verify that the adjusters turn easily in the rocker arms. I have seen quite a few adjusters that were stretched by ham-handed former mechanics who over-tightened the nuts. They stretch in the center, between the two threaded portions, making them very hard to screw in and out.

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Jim Clement
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Re: Valve adjustment

#5 Post by Jim Clement »

Also, I think there are a few different types of gaskets, one is better than the others, I believe it has a steel core.
where would one find the better quality Valve Cover Gaskets ??
 

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Martin Benade
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Re: Valve adjustment

#6 Post by Martin Benade »

Vic sells them and Stoddard carries his too. They are worthwhile.
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Ron LaDow
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Re: Valve adjustment

#7 Post by Ron LaDow »

The Registry page should be back up after removal of some 'wiki' alterations.
Ron LaDow
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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Valve adjustment

#8 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Martin Benade wrote: Sat Jul 30, 2022 8:22 pm Vic sells them and Stoddard carries his too. They are worthwhile.
Been out of stock for about a year; they supposedly will arrive in August.
Keep your fingers crossed.

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Michael Branning
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Re: Valve adjustment

#9 Post by Michael Branning »

Ron LaDow wrote: Sat Jul 30, 2022 11:34 pm The Registry page should be back up after removal of some 'wiki' alterations.
Ron's valve adjustment article is now back online along with 4 of his other articles. There is a link to it on the Technical Library page under Maintenance topics. You can also search the Document Library for "LaDow".

Thanks to Ron for giving those web articles a once-over for some updates!
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Jon Schmid
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Re: Valve adjustment

#10 Post by Jon Schmid »

I have two recommendations: 1. Get the "Vic" metal backed cork valve cover gaskets when you can--well worth the money. 2. When doing the actual valve adjustments, I always set both intake and exhaust clearances to .006 inch. FWIW.

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Wes Bender
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Re: Valve adjustment

#11 Post by Wes Bender »

Why do you recommend those clearances instead of the factory specs, Jon?
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

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Jon Schmid
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Re: Valve adjustment

#12 Post by Jon Schmid »

Wes Bender wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 11:55 am Why do you recommend those clearances instead of the factory specs, Jon?
I'd rather err on the side of "too loose" than "too tight." I have also had several reputable Porsche gurus recommend those numbers. I have been running them on both (well, now one) of my cars for 20+ years with no issues at all. I do not want to run the risk of burnt valves by running too clearances that are too tight.

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Martin Benade
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Re: Valve adjustment

#13 Post by Martin Benade »

Sounds like good numbers if you are planning to neglect maintenance. Otherwise, why not do it right?
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Jon Schmid
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Re: Valve adjustment

#14 Post by Jon Schmid »

Martin Benade wrote: Sun Jul 31, 2022 12:35 pm Sounds like good numbers if you are planning to neglect maintenance. Otherwise, why not do it right?
Martin, you do you. Please don't question my decisions based on experienced advice that I have been given from multiple sources.
Thank you---

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Wes Bender
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Re: Valve adjustment

#15 Post by Wes Bender »

I vaguely recall from my VW days that the intakes tended to loosen slightly and the exhausts tended to tighten (or was it the other way around?), but I have never experienced that on the 356s I've owned and maintained. They have only needed slight adjustments when I've done them.
Of course, I'm limited to "spirited" driving on the highway. However, to each his own. Set 'em any way you want, "experienced advice" or not.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

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