Hi Stan:

Thanks for the ideas and the quick reply.

As far as I know I have hydraulic lifters (original 82 2.0L engine with 51K
on it). Given the ambiguity I have with Boston Bob's method, I will try Tom's
and see how that works. In general which is the best to use with old possibly
leaky lifters?

> Sometimes the push rod doesn't seat properly in the lifter socket, it
>   will seat itself after a little use, you'll hear it snap into place
>   (sounds like something just broke). This event means you need to readjust
>   the valves again.
>

Would I hear this as I tightened the adjustment screw or when the engine is
warming up after the adjustment?

Regards,
--Jeff Strickrott
82 Westy, South Florida

Stan Wilder wrote:

> Using Boston Bobs Method: After you adjust the valves using the .006 you
> should be able to get the feeler gage into the opening.
> Theory being that heat is going to expand the valve stem .006 and close
> the opening when its warm.
> Using Tom Wilsons Method (Stan's page): Using the one turn after the
> adjusting screw just touching the valve stem is a little bit of pre-load
> on the hydraulic lifters.
> --------------
> True that you could have some air in the lifter but it normally pushes on
> out as the engine oil pressurizes the system.
> The lifters have a spring in them but you're not compressing it using
> Bobs method.
> Using the Tom Wilson Method you are compressing the spring in the lifter
> just slightly.
> Sometimes the push rod doesn't seat properly in the lifter socket, it
> will seat itself after a little use, you'll hear it snap into place
> (sounds like something just broke). This event means you need to readjust
> the valves again.
> It often takes ten minutes for the lifters and valve train to quieten
> after adjustments.
> The law of averages says one or more lifters will drain overnight because
> one of them is going to stop with the fill hole in the down position.
> If you have good oil pressure your lifters should get quiet in less than
> a minute.
> ------------------
> Then the ringer! Do you have aluminum push rods? If you do you've got
> solid lifters and they adjust differently.
> -----------------
> Lifters can go bad on old engines.
>
> Stan Wilder
>
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