VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Valve Adjustment Cold Sequence

I installed the engine in the 41 yesterday and want to adjust the valve clearance cold but don't remember the sequence that one uses.

You can adjust more than one cylinder at a time when the number one is at top dead center, etc.

Can someone remind me of the sequence? I think you know what I;m talking about.

Thanks,

Charlie

BTW: Mike: I did use the "search" but no joy. Search hates me.

Hi Charlie,

I know that there is some magical sequence so you can adjust all 12 valves with just one revolution of the crankshaft.

I can never remember it so I just do it the simple way. I start with #1 at TDC, then turn the hand crank 120 degrees and do #5, and on through the firing order. Yes, it takes 2 revolutions of the crank but I know I have all of them done.

Charlie

Here is how I do mine. I remove the plugs and valve cover then adjust the valves to the clearance in this order:
A) Rotate the engine until #1 is at TDC on the compression stroke. Adjust; 1E,1I,2I,3E,4I,5E. (Distributor rotor points to #1 in the distributor cap)
B) Rotate the engine until #6 is at TDC on the compression stoke. Adjust; 6E,6I,5I,4E,3I,2E. (Distributor rotor points to #6 in the distributor cap)

If your fan belt is tight you should be able to rotate the engine using the fan. After I set the clearance cold I run the engine until the temp gauge is near the red. Usually have to cover most of the radiator to get the engine good and hot. Then recheck all of the clearances with the engine running. Very seldom have to readjust any of the clearances. Do not ever recall having any too tight. Sometimes have a couple too loose which I find interesting.

Mike,

Now that right there is what I needed.

Thank you so much.

Best,

Charlie

Rusty: You weren't much help at all but I appreciate you trying.

Generally I adjust the valves of the cylinder the rotor points to but does mean 2 revolutions o the crank.
Tony

It takes one full turn from #1 TDC to #6 TDC therefore two full turns would return it to #1 TDC.

Charlie,
I adjusted my valves cold about a week ago and used Mike Deeter’s “cold” sequence.
It works great and you don’t have to have a hot engine. (I didn’t think to remove the distributor cap to find #1 TDC.)

I printed the link below and put it on the fender for handy reference.

https://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/valveadjustment.htm

Curt

Can this be used for earlier 194 cu in?

Cabboy,

That’s a good question.
Looking up this engine on Wikipedia this is what I found.

“This engine was used in all Chevrolet passenger cars 1929-1933, and the 1934 "Standard" models.”

I would think this “cold” valve adjustment sequence would work, but, I would certainly ask the folks on the “1929-1932” forum and the general “mechanical-engine, trans, etc.” forum.

Curt

Mike's sequence would work on most 6 cylinder engines with the 1 5 3 6 2 4 firing order, if the firing order is changed (not all manufactures use this firing order). When not sure of the firing order use the rotor button to indicate which cylinder to adjust.
Tony