Valve Lash Spec.
 

just need to know what the spec is for my truck.
intake=?
exhaust=?

I .010"
E .020"

thank you much. i've done valves before but not on my truck, or anyone's dodge for that matter so is there any tricks i need to know?

There is an awesome step-by-step article in the TECH FACTS section. I used it for mine this last fall, and it worked great. I didn't like how tight it is to get the valve cover off -- I was afraid of getting some dirt off the cowl into the cylinder head!

thanks man, i'll check it out. and i'm scared about how tight #5 and 6 will be too, but shouldn't be too hard right? just patience.

great article, i'll print it out when the time comes. thanks for telling me about it. i always forget about the tech facts [duhhh]

oh oh, one more question, is that valve cover gasket re usable?

b/c i called napa today to get a price on it and it was $141 so if i don't need it, then so be it.

VC gaskets are reusable. No problem there at all, just be moderately careful when removing the cover. Rotate the cover to the passenger side while pulling it off, to allow the bolt bosses to clear the rocker assembly.

These might be tight to work on, but still light years ahead of those "other" guys. Heck, even light years ahead of Kenworth, for anyone who has ever worked on a T2000.

Good luck with it.

for anyone who plans to pull the VC for a valve lash or injector swap...do yourself a favor and take a razor knife, blade pointing up and cut the insulation on both sides of the VC and rip it out.

this does 2 things...it gives you another 3/4" to 1" clearance for hands to work or removing the cover, and it prevents any dirt from being able to fall down into the open head.

ive had my VC off about 20 times now and im still on the stock gasket.

lastly, get yours self a little dentists type mirror to use in lining up the mark on the gear for the VP44 for TDC.

For a mirror, I use a chunk that I cut out of the bumper on a Freightliner. The guy wanted driving lights mounted behind the bumper, so I cut it with plasma, and darn, doesn't that make for a nice, almost indestructible mirror.

I use this mirror for everything from finding tdc, to a welding mirror when I am working at odd/impossible angles, to buffing my tooth and fixing my comb-over.

Good tip on losing the insulation too. The other thing that can be done, is cut one side, and make a flap as such, then use velcro to re-attach it, for the little bit of sound deadening that it does.

thanks guys for all the tips, they will be used and boy am i glad i don't have to buy that gasket.

and pind, i'm glad to hear that that mirror came in handy for tooth buffing and comb over fixing as well [laugh]