valve adjustment
NOTE: Engine coolant temperature should be less than 60°C [140°F] for adjustment.
1.Remove the plastic fuel pump drive cover located on the front of the engine.
2. Using the barring tool, Cummins Part Number 3824591, rotate the crankshaft to align the top dead center marks on the gear cover and fuel pump gear. (You can also rotate the engine by using the alternator nut)
3.Remove the rocker lever cover and gasket.
4. With the engine in this position, lash can be checked on the following rocker arms: 1l, 1E, 2l, 3E, 4l, and 5E.
5. Adjust the lash to nominal specifications.
Lash Specifications
mm in
Intake 0.254 0.010
Exhaust 0.508 0.020
Tighten the locknut and remeasure.
Torque Value: 24 n.m [212 in-lb ]
6. Using the barring tool, Cummins Part Number 3824591, rotate the crankshaft 360 degrees, or until the timing mark on the fuel pump gear is pointing down 180 degrees from top dead center. Reset lash for rocker arms 2E, 3l, 4E, 5l, 6l, and 6E.
7. Check the gasket for cracks in the silicone covering.
Replace the gasket if cracks are present.
8. Inspect the rocker lever cover for cracks or other damage.
9. Place the rocker lever gasket on the cylinder head.
NOTE: Make sure the gasket is properly aligned around the cylinder head capscrews.
10. Install the rocker lever cover and capscrews.
1.Remove the plastic fuel pump drive cover located on the front of the engine.
2. Using the barring tool, Cummins Part Number 3824591, rotate the crankshaft to align the top dead center marks on the gear cover and fuel pump gear. (You can also rotate the engine by using the alternator nut)
3.Remove the rocker lever cover and gasket.
4. With the engine in this position, lash can be checked on the following rocker arms: 1l, 1E, 2l, 3E, 4l, and 5E.
5. Adjust the lash to nominal specifications.
Lash Specifications
mm in
Intake 0.254 0.010
Exhaust 0.508 0.020
Tighten the locknut and remeasure.
Torque Value: 24 n.m [212 in-lb ]
6. Using the barring tool, Cummins Part Number 3824591, rotate the crankshaft 360 degrees, or until the timing mark on the fuel pump gear is pointing down 180 degrees from top dead center. Reset lash for rocker arms 2E, 3l, 4E, 5l, 6l, and 6E.
7. Check the gasket for cracks in the silicone covering.
Replace the gasket if cracks are present.
8. Inspect the rocker lever cover for cracks or other damage.
9. Place the rocker lever gasket on the cylinder head.
NOTE: Make sure the gasket is properly aligned around the cylinder head capscrews.
10. Install the rocker lever cover and capscrews.
thank you.
i dont have a alignment tool so i brought each exhval ve to the supposed max lift and adj the int from 16 to a loose 8.
brought int just past max lift and adj the exhaust.exh was 26 plus, adj toa tight 18.
test drove the truck seems quieter and more responsive.it's like i'm not using as much pedal as before at 60mph?
would a 285/75/16 throw my speedometer off?
i dont have a alignment tool so i brought each exhval ve to the supposed max lift and adj the int from 16 to a loose 8.
brought int just past max lift and adj the exhaust.exh was 26 plus, adj toa tight 18.
test drove the truck seems quieter and more responsive.it's like i'm not using as much pedal as before at 60mph?
would a 285/75/16 throw my speedometer off?
Originally Posted by ambrosini
would a 285/75/16 throw my speedometer off?
Originally Posted by darrenG
when I did my adjustment I wasn't certain which was exhaust, and which was intake. I think i took the passenger side set to be exhaust on each cylinder.
BTW I have a 2001.5 with 85K and I just did the valve adjustment on it.
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Originally Posted by ambrosini
thank you.
i dont have a alignment tool so i brought each exhval ve to the supposed max lift and adj the int from 16 to a loose 8.
brought int just past max lift and adj the exhaust.exh was 26 plus, adj toa tight 18.
i dont have a alignment tool so i brought each exhval ve to the supposed max lift and adj the int from 16 to a loose 8.
brought int just past max lift and adj the exhaust.exh was 26 plus, adj toa tight 18.
Originally Posted by piperca
I was under the impression that you should not exceed the recommended lash specs for the valves. I am sure I have read that adjusting them tighter could cause damage ... is this correct?
BTW check out my gallery. I just uploaded pictures I took when I did my valve adjustment. I gave each picture a detailed description.
Also check the data plate on your engine (drivers side on the timing case, front of engine). It will have the valve lash setting for intake and exhaust in inches. Mine listed intake at .010 inch and exhaust at .020 inch.
I'm about to do mine (once my new injectors are installed) and, from what I've read, you should wait a minimum of four hours before doing the install. I'm of the same mind, overnight, so there's no question!
Originally Posted by jrs_dodge_diesel
Correct. Too tight will hold the valve open slightly when its supposed to be shut. This lets seering hot combustion gases through the gap causing a slight loss of compression and overheating the valve. Too much of it and you will end up with a burnt valve.
BTW check out my gallery. I just uploaded pictures I took when I did my valve adjustment. I gave each picture a detailed description.
Also check the data plate on your engine (drivers side on the timing case, front of engine). It will have the valve lash setting for intake and exhaust in inches. Mine listed intake at .010 inch and exhaust at .020 inch.
BTW check out my gallery. I just uploaded pictures I took when I did my valve adjustment. I gave each picture a detailed description.
Also check the data plate on your engine (drivers side on the timing case, front of engine). It will have the valve lash setting for intake and exhaust in inches. Mine listed intake at .010 inch and exhaust at .020 inch.
To get #1 TDC , turn the motrr till # 6 ex is just closeing and int. is just opening. adj int.1,2,4 ex.1,3,5. Then turn motor till #1 ext. is just closeing ,int just opening.adj int.3,5,6 ext2,4,6
No need to pul the front cover and see the gears.
I just did mine at 105,000 mi. and they bearly needed adjusting.
No need to pul the front cover and see the gears.
I just did mine at 105,000 mi. and they bearly needed adjusting.
Originally Posted by Mopar1973man
Thanks JR... I like your pictures on how to adjust you valves... mine is coming due someday... Really good!
Another note I wan't to pass along, this came from the Machinist mate Chief that helped me with the job. .010 will feel different to different people. A great way to know that you got it adjusted to .010 (intake) is to do the over/under method. Using the feeler guages (lets use intake as the example), use a .009 and a .011 feeler guage(1 up, one down). Using those two feeler guages .009 should fit in and .011 should not. Same applies for exhaust, use .019 for the lower number and .021 as the upper.


