Adjust, how often? Valves |
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jhg
Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917 |
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Posted: 29 May 2023 at 11:50am |
I was wondering about valve service. The engine was re-built by the PO (shopped it out to a pro).
Is it good practice to check adjustment or unnecessary after a re-build once the engine has been run in? Keep in mind I can identify a "loud" tappet but not experienced enough to know whether or not they are (by sound) okay or not as a group. No idea what the PO did after the re-build. I will link a video of it running later today. |
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1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.
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Oldpappy
Member Joined: 09 Apr. 2018 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 4921 |
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I would certainly readjust valves and check head bolt torque on an engine that was recently built and has now been "run in".
I usually pull the tappet cover and check valve lash at least once a year at tune up, or twice a year on a Jeep that gets driven a lot. A helpful tip I learned on this forum is to only put gasket compound on the side of the gasket against the tappet cover, which "glues" the gasket to the cover. Then smear some chassis grease on the side against the block. This will seal it from leaks and make it easy to remove the cover adjust the valves and button it back up without having to replace the gasket each time.
Here is a fairly easy way to adjust valves which does not rely on the flywheel timing marks which are not always reliable as flywheels often get put on 180 degrees off. It is my 12 step program 1) Remove all spark plugs, disconnect the battery, and place transmission in neutral. 2) Mark the #1 position on the distributor body with a light colored Sharpie or chalk. 3) Rotate the engine clockwise with a socket wrench until the rotor is pointing at the mark, easier if you have a helper to watch this while you turn the crank. The distributor rotor will turn counter clockwise. When the rotor is pointed to the #1 firing position it is a few degrees BTDC but both valves will be closed. 4) Make a mark parallel to the ground on the passenger side of the crankshaft pulley. 5) Adjust the valves for #1 6) Rotate the engine 180 degrees until the mark made in step 4 is parallel to the ground on the driver side 7) Adjust the valves for #3 8) Rotate the engine 180 degrees until the mark is parallel to the ground on the passenger side 9) Adjust the valves for #4 10) Rotate the engine 180 degrees until the mark is parallel to the ground on the driver side 11) Adjust the valves for #2 12) Done. Replace the tappet cover, spark plugs, cap and wires then start the engine. Edited by Oldpappy - 29 May 2023 at 12:37pm |
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If you can't get there in a Jeep you don't need to be there!
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Bruce W
Member Joined: 29 July 2005 Location: Northeast Colorado Status: Offline Points: 9653 |
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Adjusting valves after a break-in period should not be necessary. There is nothing that should change during break-in, if the valve job was done properly in the rebuild.
“Your Operation and Care Manual” says to adjust them Twice each year. I know several that would be lucky to get adjusted once a year. Some have been several years and seem to be fine. I also know of several owners who thought their jeep was running fine who were amazed at how much better it ran after an adjustment. Performance deteriorates gradually and you don’t notice it. Restoring that performance is a sudden thing and is noticeable. Keep in mind that the Operation and Care Manual was written for owners who may have used their jeeps as a tractor or as a daily driver/all-around workhorse. We dont use our jeeps that hard. IMO, a yearly adjustment should be adequate for most. One thing about it - more frequent adjustment surely shouldn’t hurt anything. BW
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It is NOT a Jeep Willys! It is a Willys jeep.
Happy Trails! Good-bye, Good Luck, and May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to You! We Have Miles to Jeep, Before We Sleep. |
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Bruce W
Member Joined: 29 July 2005 Location: Northeast Colorado Status: Offline Points: 9653 |
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OldPappy posted while I was typing.
His “twelve step program” is very similar to my method and I wont confuse anybody by stating the differences. Simple. BW
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It is NOT a Jeep Willys! It is a Willys jeep.
Happy Trails! Good-bye, Good Luck, and May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to You! We Have Miles to Jeep, Before We Sleep. |
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Oldpappy
Member Joined: 09 Apr. 2018 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 4921 |
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Bruce is correct that if the valve job was done properly in the rebuild nothing should change during break in, but when I get an engine that was rebuilt by someone else, no matter if they were a professional or a rookie, I always check to make sure valve lash is set where I want it. It doesn't cost anything but time.
I have an engine right now that was built by someone else and found that the valve lash set to 14 thousands across the board, which isn't too bad, but a little tighter than I like. Too tight will burn the exhaust valves.
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If you can't get there in a Jeep you don't need to be there!
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jhg
Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917 |
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Thanks. I will plan on check and head bolt torque. A good way to get to know my jeep and given its history regarding due diligence. It is also enjoyable- not too hard, not to time consuming.
I screen shot the 12 step. Edited by jhg - 29 May 2023 at 2:08pm |
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1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.
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Bruce W
Member Joined: 29 July 2005 Location: Northeast Colorado Status: Offline Points: 9653 |
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My opinion again, and my way of doing things -
Removing the LF fender makes the job much easier. I dont remove the manifolds as some suggest, because of the risk of breaking a stud, and besides, Im an old flate-rate mechanic who doesn’t remove anything that’s not necessary. It’s not that hard to work arount the exhaust manifold and pipe. BW
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It is NOT a Jeep Willys! It is a Willys jeep.
Happy Trails! Good-bye, Good Luck, and May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to You! We Have Miles to Jeep, Before We Sleep. |
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jhg
Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917 |
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Gotcha!
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1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.
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TERRY
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 22 May 2007 Location: BOULDER COLORADO Status: Offline Points: 3401 |
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The hard part is wiggling the valve cover out of the way.
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BOULDER 48 2A
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jhg
Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917 |
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Here is the short clip of my jeep engine running.
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1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.
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Oldpappy
Member Joined: 09 Apr. 2018 Location: Tennessee Status: Offline Points: 4921 |
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Sounds like it is running pretty good to me.
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If you can't get there in a Jeep you don't need to be there!
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jhg
Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917 |
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That is re-assuring. I thought so too but have little experience to compare it to in regards to jeep engine sound. My 12 valve, now that is an engine I am familiar with.
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1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.
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mike in oregon
Member Sponsor Member Joined: 17 Jan. 2008 Location: Fall Creek Or Status: Offline Points: 1988 |
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Hey do you guys go .016" or .014" I am getting forgetful and cant remember, Thanks
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MIKE IN OREGON
President of Oregon Flat Fender Club. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Oregon-Flat-Fender-Club/222864787838570 46 CJ2A 38007 46 CJ2A 79863 BANTAM T3-C 25314 |
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jhg
Member Joined: 07 Nov. 2016 Location: colorado Status: Offline Points: 917 |
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.016
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1948 cj2a. Rebuilt L-head, steering, T90, WO 636, steering, brake lines. So far.
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WeeWilly
Member Sponsor Member x 2 Joined: 07 May 2009 Location: Clayton IN Status: Offline Points: 3423 |
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On a rebuild I do a tight .016 to allow for a little wear for break in.
Jim
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47 CJ2A (Ranch Hand) 48 CJ2A, 48 Willys truck, T3C 3782, M274 (Military Mule)
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RCR
Member Joined: 07 Jan. 2018 Location: Illinois Status: Offline Points: 2 |
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Adjusted the valves on my 46 L-134 yesterday . Runs a lot better . Even had to readjust the idle down some . Thank fellas for your knowledge !
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Downs
Member Joined: 08 Sep. 2021 Location: Hunt County Tex Status: Offline Points: 179 |
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This is the way. The fenders are very easy to remove. Especially if you're using something like a 20v electric driver, you can have the fender off in no time and have easy access to that side of the engine.
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1946...ish CJ2A
1976 CJ5 1995 XJ |
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