SoCal Jet Boats

Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: enginedoctor on March 18, 2009, 04:42:33 PM

Title: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: enginedoctor on March 18, 2009, 04:42:33 PM

Not my method but...... Here is how you MAY do it.


For adjustable valve train only!

1.  To check your valve to piston clearances, simply adjust your rocker adjustment as you normally would,
     BUT,  in between your rocker arm and valve stem, install  two dimes, crank engine over a few times
     and feel for contact.    (2 dimes give you about .125 clearance/I never measured them)

Once again, this is not my method.....but it makes sense.   ATTEMPT AT YOUR OWN RISK! :o

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: povertyjet on March 18, 2009, 04:48:16 PM

that is just nuts...better just use clay

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: enginedoctor on March 18, 2009, 04:56:09 PM

Does clay give you an exact clearance.?...... Keep an open mind if you will.... This
 came from ENGINE BUILDER MAGAZINE,   NOT ME!

And what is nuts about it?

But I do appreciate your comments...........Good Day Sir :)

Let me know what You find out ;D

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: enginedoctor on March 18, 2009, 05:02:42 PM

I forgot.... On my site under SERVICES you can view a pic. of V/P Checking.

                  www.aanddengines.com


Hope you all have a great day ;D

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: pw_Tony on March 18, 2009, 05:06:02 PM

Or use a stack of feeler guages... then you can get a pretty decent representation.... if a valve has more than .080" of clearance I call it good

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: electrowoman on March 18, 2009, 05:34:22 PM

Use the clay, spray it with pam.  The clay won't stick that way and if you kiss the piston you can still eat it  ; ::)

Just kidding, don't eat it.  We always use this method, it works great.

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: enginedoctor on March 18, 2009, 05:39:39 PM

PW TONY ....I agree.... How can you measure clay ???

If you want to do it properly......Invest in machinest tools. :)


They are way more expensive than  .020 cents!

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: pw_Tony on March 18, 2009, 05:46:47 PM

Quote from: enginedoctor on March 18, 2009, 05:39:39 PM

PW TONY ....I agree.... How can you measure clay ???

If you want to do it properly......Invest in machinest tools. :)


They are way more expensive than  .020 cents!

Clay works when it's like F'in 20 degrees outside LOL

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: povertyjet on March 18, 2009, 07:26:48 PM

slice and mic the clay, then eat it!!

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: electrowoman on March 18, 2009, 07:30:43 PM

 ;D  ;D  ;D

I was afraid to say that  ::)

If you can't measure the clay what the heck are you doing trying to assemble an engine  :banghead:

Heck, that's an easy part  ::)

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: speedymopars on March 19, 2009, 03:35:21 AM

Lets see, stick two dimes in there, but becuase I am in the middle of degreeing the cam I wind up with less than .125. Now I've taken and either bent the end of the valve or damaged the piston because metal +metal=junk.

I personally wouldn't do this. Take the clay, let it squish, take a knife, cut it in half at each valve, peel off, measure the thickness.

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: LostOkie on March 19, 2009, 08:06:58 AM

I know this is gonna sound crazy but here it goes...

A little trick that I learned that is a hell of a lot better than using clay is to use a Tootsie Roll. The roll will not stick to the piston or the valve like clay will and it is easy to mic.  Afterwards you just pop it in your mouth and enjoy a sweet treat!

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: Marlin on March 19, 2009, 08:18:19 AM

I too have heard of the tootsie roll method. Leave the rapper on it so that it won't stick to anything.

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: jet boat performance on March 19, 2009, 08:41:58 AM

We use hobby shop modeling clay ,a light valve spring supplied by Comp (or available at any hardware store) , A Comp Dial wheel and a dial indicator with a "test" solid lifter for Cam dial in and piston to valve clearance checking , Pam works well (we use silicone spray) after a roll thru we "fillet" the clay "slug" and gently measure the thickness in a potential contact are with a dial caliper  There are variations to this method as lots of folks dont have these tools , cant be too carefull Tom

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: speedymopars on March 19, 2009, 09:59:23 AM

Playdoh and an exacto knife has served me well for years :-)

The kids like it when I do that too becuase they get it afterwards...

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: LostOkie on March 19, 2009, 10:42:42 AM

I feel like a dipshit for not thinking about leaving the wrapper on the Tootsie Roll.  I'll definately do that next time.

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: kohensdad on March 19, 2009, 10:59:16 AM

Quote from: LostOkie on March 19, 2009, 10:42:42 AM

I feel like a dipshit for not thinking about leaving the wrapper on the Tootsie Roll.  I'll definately do that next time.

hahahaha!!  sorry, i got a pretty good chuckle out of that one! ;D

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: enginedoctor on March 19, 2009, 05:32:09 PM

Yo.... I am now educated. ;D

I'm tossing my mic's in the trash and gonna use chocolate M&M's for V/P. ;D


I loved the tootsie roll thing...too cool! :D

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: beerjet on March 19, 2009, 07:13:10 PM

Damn you Dave for bringing out the backyard mechanic in us  :banghead:

 ;D
-beerjet-

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: enginedoctor on March 20, 2009, 08:38:05 AM

What's up Omar?? Don't you like M&M's : ??? ???

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: beerjet on March 21, 2009, 12:01:40 AM

I just think it's funny how you merely suggested a method that someone else uses that was way out of the ordinary yet is incredibly similar to an accepted method and some folks still try to beat you over the head with the common method.

Kind of like tunning headers with a crayon.
Who the hell would have thought to take a crayon to a header BUT, it works.
I can see some tool boxes being filled crayons and tootsie rolls now !  :D

Interesting how crafty one can get when your in a wrenching frenzy into the wee hours of the night
and your thinkin FOOOOOCK ! WHERE'S MY CLAY, AND WHAT THE FOCK AM I GONNA DO WITH ALL THESE FOCKIN TOOTSIE ROLLS IN MY TOOL BOX !  :banghead:  :mad:  :sly:
Well , at least that how it works here at Team Cold Beer Racing  ;D

-beerjet-

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: enginedoctor on March 21, 2009, 09:44:06 AM

Very well done Omar......I'm headed to the store to stock up on clay,pam,tootsie rolls and
M&M"S as we speak 8).....Did I forget anything on the list ??? ???

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: Ralph Brunt on March 21, 2009, 10:12:06 AM

Quote from: enginedoctor on March 21, 2009, 09:44:06 AM

Very well done Omar......I'm headed to the store to stock up on clay,pam,tootsie rolls and
M&M"S as we speak 8).....Did I forget anything on the list ??? ???

i like snickers ;)

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: beerjet on March 21, 2009, 10:38:37 AM

Quote from: enginedoctor on March 21, 2009, 09:44:06 AM

Very well done Omar......I'm headed to the store to stock up on clay,pam,tootsie rolls and
M&M"S as we speak 8).....Did I forget anything on the list ??? ???

Dont forget a couple spare dimes  ;)

-beerjet-

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: enginedoctor on March 21, 2009, 12:28:29 PM

Ok.....spair dimes, snicker's, and BEER......that it :o ???

Title: Re: CHECK YOUR VALVE TO PISTON CLEARANCES FOR .020 cents!
Post by: enginedoctor on March 21, 2009, 12:30:29 PM

Spare dimes?????  is it cause  metal+ metal = JUNK...and the dimes wear out ???