Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) adjusting valves

[JBain]

I found another way to find the TDC #1 cyclinder. Pull the TDC pin out using a pick to remove the keeper. Position a mirror using a flash light so that you can see the back side of the cam gear. Rotate the engine using the nut on the alternator until you see the TDC pin hole. This seems to work better than trying to push the TDC pin in blindly. The only thing I found a little tricky was positioning the mirror and flash light but it's not hard with some wire or tie wraps.



95 2500 now with 4" exh.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

That's a great tip JBain, especially when getting ready to do timing. But for doing valve adjustments for me it's a lot easier just to watch the valves on cylinder #6. With the engine moving in the forward direction stopping when the exhaust valve had just closed and the intake is getting ready to open, that's TDC. As long as you're in the neighborhood of TDC you're good to go.

 

[surfbeetle]

Whatever method you use, once you have found TDC, use a paint pen and mark the crank pulley's position. I made two marks on mine and also on two oil pan bolts. When I rotate the pulley from underneath, I line the marks up with the marked bolts on the pan and I am good to go.

 

[Turbo_Bob]

yes finding tdc is the most accurate way, but than can be time consuming sometimes, unless it has already been done, and the balancer has been marked.

I know I should be in the other section but I ran across this post and I had the same concern.

I have the 24 valve 2003. 5 high output engine. It has TDC stamped on the balancer, but there is no timing pointer or reference point to point to.

I just pointed the TDC to the 12 O'clock posistion as the shop manual indiacated to adjust the valves. This method could be off a degree or two either way. I guess it is not that big of deal because the valves are adjusted on the heel of the cam lobes, lots of dwel either way.



I used the barring tool, first time adjusting the valves and what a difference, from a valve tappit noise to no noise what so ever. All the valves were on the loose side, I set them . 010 In, . 020 Ex, COLD. Engine has 120K.