About to get the head back on and adjust the valves this morning...

I just printed out these instructions: http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/val.../12_valve.html

I have a few questions after reading the instructions.....

I have my head off right now so I can find TDC by watching #1 come to the very top? And it says this in the instructions :

"If no barring tool is available, the crankshaft may be turned with a 22 mm socket on the alternator pulley bolt. Rotate the engine clockwise when viewing from the front of the truck. This method turns the engine backwards, so make sure you are adjusting the correct valves."

If I turn the motor clockwise like the instructions say how do I know which valves to adjust then.....

Is this this still the proper order....

First adjustment....



Then turn motor 360 degrees clockwise which is backwards and then adjust these......



And is there any special tools that I can get that makes the valve job more precise or easier?

Thanks.....

 

Use the pin on your IP to find TD then pull the pin out of the grove. This puts you on compression stroke and you can bring the piston by eye to the real TDC.
When you get the head on adjust in the order of the first picture. Then turn 360 then in order of second pic.
A little off topic but how well does the 100 plate and the 80 hp injectors work with stock turbo?

 

Thanks for the info Clayten. My setup works great with no issues....

 

If you have the head off, you can set the engine to TDC by leveling piston tops 2,3,4,5.
When those pistons cross paths and become level your motor is set at absolute TDC.....

I have some photos that I put together to help my brother a few years back.

The first pic is at TDC

The second pic is just before TDC,....As you can see, pistons 1 & 6 appear to be at TDC but the bottles tell a different story

 

The second pic is just before TDC,....As you can see, pistons 1 & 6 appear to be at TDC but the bottles tell a different story

 

Even after absolute TDC, piston tops on 1 & 6 still show TDC but the bottles show rotation past TDC

 

what would a guy do w/o beer bottles?!! Thanks for the pics

 

That is slick! I've seen a variation of the drop valve method where you strap a bar across the deck with a bolt down #1 cylinder, but never this. And you get to drink 4 beer to boot!

 

that is a very good explanation, got to give you credit there!!!!!


when in doubt and you got no manual available, this always works but takes a little more time to set the valves..............

roll the engine over until intake valve is completley open, and adjust exhaust valve to desired clearance, put a dab of paint on adjusting screw after adjustment has been made, rotate engine until intake valve is completley open on the same cylinder, make adjustment and mark, move to remaining cylinders and repeat procedure.

I know, it is time consuming, but when you dont have a manual, this always works. You do not have to worry about any valve overlap because this does not occur when a valve is at its COMPLETE OPEN POSITION.

The key to doing this, make sure whatever valve /cylinder you are setting, the valve that you are attempting to adjust, that it's opposite functioning valve is COMPLETLEY open. (spring compressed to it's fullest amount, determined by cam lobe lift/height)

you do not need to do this method in any particular order, just make sure to mark each adjuster screw after you make an adjustment and move on to the next cylinder, it does help to know the firing order of the engine, but you do not have to start at number one and go from there.

just remember this.... if one is COMPLETLEY OPEN (spring compressed) the other valve on the same cylinder is completley closed. (adjuster mechanism loose)

### disclaimer### camshaft to crankshaft timing must be correct