Valve adjustment

[Archive]

I attempted a valve adjustment yesterday to no avail. I rotated the crank with the barring tool while a buddy tried to push on the timing pin and it never went in. It seemed so hard to put any pressure on the timing pin. That is a terrible location.
If I try the valve adjustment with out the crank at TDC, What will the consequences be?
Thanks for any help as this is my first post.

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[Archive]

Your engine has to be almost perfectly at TDC for the pin to go into the gear, and often the pin is stuck and hard to move. Remove the valve covers and rotate with the 22mm nut on the alternator--its faster although the engine is going backwards only (belt slips in forward direction). When the valves for #1 or 6 are both slightly open, meaning one is closing and the other just starting to open, you are at TDC in overlap position for that cylinder and firing in the paired cylinder. Then you can adjust half the valves per Dodge service manual.

If you have the past issues of TDR, valve adjustment is covered several issues ago.

 

[Archive]

This is the way I locate TDC using the
timing pin. if truck has auto. trans.
I get under and take flywheel cover off(2
8mm hex hd. bolts) you can turn starter ring gear w/big screwdriver clockwise while a
buddy holds in on timing pin w/suitable
bar. I found that you have to put a little
more pressure on pin than you can with
fingers. when pin drops in hole, mark flywheel, then pull pin out. you can now
adjust half the valves.
If truck is 5sp. trans. I jack up one rear wheel, and turn engine clockwise w/trans.
in 4th. gear using rear wheel, while buddy
holds in on pin w/bar.

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[Archive]

Patrick: I pulled on the pin and it came out. I then wiped it off and sprayed a little wd/40 on it and reinstalled. It slid in real easy when the hole came around. Mark your balancer with paint and you'll never have to do the pin again.

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98 12V SLT 2500 4X2 AUTO,3. 54 limt slip rear, QC SB Driftwood W/color match Topper, Full alum Boards,Delux OE mud guards, Bugflector,SS Wheel well trim,Reese 15K slider hitch,30 ft. Coachman 5er,TST #8 plate,gutted cat,TC lockup Sw,Trans-go kit,Heavy duty TC. Isproo Boost,EGT,and Trans Temp Guages,Hitco Exhaust Blanket, Uniden CB.

 

[Archive]

The timing pin is for injector pump timing, not for adjusting the valves. You don't need to be that precise for adjusting the valves. There are several degrees of overlap, during which the valves do nothing. It's a good idea to use the pin for the first time adjusting the valves, then when you finally find the exact TDC location, make a punch mark on the flywheel or use a paint dot or chalk to mark the spot. This will be close enough next time you adjust the valves, and you won't have to mess with the pin. At TDC, adjust only the six valves listed in the book, then lay on your back, grab the fly wheel, rotate it by hand 360 degrees, adjust the other 6 & you're done.

 

[Archive]

"Mark your balancer with paint and you'll never have to do the pin again".

Great Tip Gene. I fought trying to get that timing pin engaged. I finally did. Marked the balanced with "White out". Never needed that **** pin again.

 

[Archive]

It's hard to get it in the first time. It takes forever and alot of patience. Then once you finally get it in, it's almost impossible to pull it back out. But it is imperative that you pull it back out before you ruin your day. If you forget, when you go to turn the motor over, you'll break it off in the hole and alot has to come apart to get the broken end out of the gear case. It's plastic. I used an upholstery tool to pop it out. The ol' lady only had pink nail polish so I have a pink dot on the flywheel at TDC. Glad she ain't gothic!

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98 2500 CC 4X2 12v 5spd 4. 10, -silencer, AFC+20, Edelbrock IAS, VDO gauges
97 Dodge Stratus 150HP
92 Harley Fatboy, Dynojet fuel management, Supertrapp 2-1

 

[Archive]

2 more cents ?
Why jack up the rear wheel-or remove the flywheel cover-or buy a barring tool?
My self i put a socket on a long-handle'd ratchet (pipe-over short if not at hand reach) put on vibration damper bolt and rotate eng. If you don't have it in gear/park and you don't jerk the handle you will find you can rotate in both directions and not back off or tighten the damper bolt.

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96-3500 SLT EXT. CAB AM/FM/CD-RINO LINER. D-CELERATOR EXH. BRK-RED LINE VAC. OVER HYD BRK CONTROL- AIR BAGS W/HVY DUTY AIR COMP. PUTCO S/STEEL DEEPBOARDS FRONT TO REAR. REESE 20K 5TH WHEEL & GOOSE -REESE 20K HITCH BELOW W/17K RECEVER. CLEAR COATED & SOUND DEADINGING &UNDER COATED 5 SPD/W 4:10 MCHLN'S 235/16'S UNIDEN PC76/WEATHER-WILSON 1000 MAG MOUNT ANT. 4 WHL ANTI LOC BRK SYS.