I have the valve covers off the truck and need to adjust the valves. I'm having a VERY difficult time locating TDC. Is the timing pin supposed to have travel before it actually goes in the hole in the cam gear? No matter where TDC is at, the timing pin will press in approximately 1/8 inch. I'm assuming it will push in another 1/8 inch once the pin is over the hole in the cam gear. Is this correct?

It appears the pin is made out of plastic, so I'd be pretty upset if it were broken. I know it can be replaced, but I need to adjust the valves NOW!

Thanks.

 

Roy, there's just a tick of travel when the pin is not over the TDC hole. If you're moving it 1/8", I think somebody broke the pin. No big deal for doing the valve lash, though. Pull the #1 rocker cover and roll the motor over by hand until both valves are closed (should be able to wiggle the rockers easily) and you are close enough. You might also get lucky and find that somebody painted a stripe on the damper at TDC. I wrestled with mine, had a heck of a time getting the pin back out of the hole - then I noticed somebody painted a stripe on the damper that's on top at TDC.

 

Thanks. There is a stripe on the dampner, however I don't know what it lines up against at TDC. All I need to do is find TDC the first time, than valve adjustment would be a snap every time after. What a PIA.

 

HA!!! I got it. I dropped the first valve and found TDC that way. The pin dropped right in at the mark!!! The mark made by somebody else lines up with the serpentine belt on the drivers side of the engine.

 

Glad to hear it. Were the valves off by much?

 

No, not really. A little loose. In my mind, I think the engine is quieter though. Number 5 & 6 are pretty tough to reach. Especially number 6. Strange that not all of the intakes or exhausts were off by the same amount as the other intakes or exhausts. Cummins in Spokane was the last outfit to touch the valves on that truck. Some valves probably needed adjustment, and some barely squeaked by. Who knows.

I'm kind of obsessive, and am glad I didn't pay to have the valves done. I thought about it, but after laboring on number 5 & 6, I'm glad I didn't. I took the time to squeeze in there with my stubby k screwdriver and make sure they were set perfect. Somebody else might have just thought they were good enough. I explained that logic to my wife after she asked why I didn't just have them done, and believe it or not, she actually agreed with me.

 

Yeah, I've done a couple and they are all over the map in the same engine. Some tight, some loose, and usually a couple that are fine.

Shoulda kept that 1st gen, 5 & 6 are really easy, just stand on the bumper and lean on in.

 

Yeah, but the truck I have now is so much nicer to drive.

 

I am adjusting my valves on my 98.5 24 valve and some of the valves were really tight couldn't get the gauge in had to loose them up is that normal it has 75,000 miles and had never been checked before

 

That should be normal wear. Good thing you are adjusting them. Hope you made sure the valves were fully closed before adjusting.