see Mr. Trindle's excellent answers to your questions, but i'd also offer a
thought or two
just for a second, perhaps you want to ask if you mean that you're
adjusting the valves when the springs are fully compressed- if you mean the
valve is open (depressed, pushed into the combustion chamber) this is
exactly the wrong point to be adjusting- you want to adjust at top dead
center (TDC) at the end of the compression stroke, you must be sure that
the piston is at TDC at end of compression and not exhaust stroke- the
timing mark should be aligned for cylinder 1 to start
for a pushrod engine, i think the easiest way to tell is by knowing the
firing order and looking at the position of the distributor rotor, it
should be pointed at the position for tower/wire for the appropriate
cylinder at end of compression stroke)
although exact is not necessary, it's difficult to know how exact is exact
enough- the more exact the position, the better, especially if you have
exotic (long dwell) camshaft
is there a nut on the end of crankshaft that can be used to turn crank?
otherwise, a push button switch to briefly actuate the starter
(transmission in neutral, plugs out, parking brake set) to advance the
crankshaft may be useful
joe
Joseph R Schneider, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Vascular Surgery, Northwestern Univ Med Schl
e-mail: joe-schneider@nwu.edu
voice 708-570-2565 fax: 708-570-2899
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