Valve lash adjustment - 4.3 v6

Totalled · Jun 30, 2009

This is what I did last weekend... worked for me.

PUO-BANNED · Jun 30, 2009

Setting them while it's running isn't the be all end all way to adjust valve lash. Old school hot rodders might laugh but it's because they haven' learned any better. I'm not saying it's wrong it's just not the way I prefer to adjust hydraulic cams.

I go with the Exhaust Opening Intake Closing procedure and I do 1 cyl at a time.

Rotate the engine while watching the exhaust pushrod, as soon as the pushrod begins to move up adjust the intake valve to 0 lash + 1/2 -1 turn. rotate the engine again this time watching the intake valve. when the intake valve reaches maximum lift and is almost all the way back down set the exhaust valve to zero lash plus 1/2-1 turn. Adjust the valves on each cylinder in this manner.

I have used this procedure countless times with Zero issues.

ROKRIG · Jun 30, 2009

okay, okay. if I'm only adjusting the valves on the passenger side, can I just go front to back with no regard for whether it's an exhaust or intake valve? how much typically gets splattered all over the place? a lot, a little? I can't disconnect the fan because there's just one belt and it turns the fan in addition to the other accessories.

no excuses · Jul 1, 2009

PUO said:
Setting them while it's running isn't the be all end all way to adjust valve lash. Old school hot rodders might laugh but it's because they haven' learned any better. I'm not saying it's wrong it's just not the way I prefer to adjust hydraulic cams.

I go with the Exhaust Opening Intake Closing procedure and I do 1 cyl at a time.

Rotate the engine while watching the exhaust pushrod, as soon as the pushrod begins to move up adjust the intake valve to 0 lash + 1/2 -1 turn. rotate the engine again this time watching the intake valve. when the intake valve reaches maximum lift and is almost all the way back down set the exhaust valve to zero lash plus 1/2-1 turn. Adjust the valves on each cylinder in this manner.

I have used this procedure countless times with Zero issues.

X2, use this every time. Not that it means anything but this is what works for me and I dont claim for it to be the only way :fawkdancesmiley::stirpot:

ROKRIG · Jul 1, 2009

Success

So I went back through the process yet again and went a little easier on the tightening of the valves. Started right up, smooth runnin' and almost no valve noise (just a little which is probably better than absolutely none). I suppose if I really wanted to, I could fine tune the adjustments with the engine running but maybe another time.

Thank you all for your help

Off to Naches tomorrow with one less thing to worry about

Terry