Its past time to check/adjust the valves. The book says to use a barring tool to turn the Cummins to TDC, do 1/2 the valves, use the barring tool again to turn the crank 360* and do the other half.

All sounds good if you have the $65 barring tool that will be used every 3 years or so, but that is another subject for later. I cannot see where any timing marks are. What am I missing? Do I just turn till 1/2 are loose? That doesn't sound right.

OK, its later now. What if I don't have a barring tool? Is there a safe alternative to turn the motor over to TDC (once I find it) without a barring tool? Bumping it?

 

Can turn motor backwards using the alt.pully bolt.If turning forward belt slips but not turning backwards.Its actualy much easier to be then the barring tool.

 

There is a TDC mark on the damper. Do a search this has been discussed about 1 million times I think

 

FMB,

Why not just bump the starter?

 

Never stops where you want it.

 

This helped a lot, thanks much.

Yup, there is a TDC mark on the damper and I found it, painted it white from underneath and wiped off the excess. It makes it loads easier to see when you are looking for it.

I did till the TDC mark was close to the top then turned the alt pully bolt like Hounddog suggested.

The intakes were all pretty much in spec, I think I tightened up on one or two. Two of the exhaust valves were around .016 and a couple were around .028. All are around .020 now. The truck is quieter, but it wasn't very loud to begin with. The truck only has about 109k miles on it.

My back is telling me I shouldn't ever think about doing this for a living. I used a step ladder and was all over the fender. I also changed the oil but the the fuel filter will have to wait till tomorrow. I was cold at 50*F and was thinking of some of you folks that have that white stuff on the ground this time of year.

Time for coffee. Thanks again, folks.

 

A little late now, but...

My mechanic neighbor taught me this trick. Pull the valve stems out of the front tires. It makes working on the motor much easier.