There are several ways to get the other pistons at TDC, after you've
established you're at TDC FIRING STROKE on #1. Here's a couple:
Keep on rotating in the RUNNING DIRECTION; every 1200 the next piston in
the firing order will be at TDC, firing stroke. Get/ make a degree
wheel for reference unless you have well calibrated eyeballs. This is
easier on 8 cyl. engines, where the angle between is 900 (normally), or
4s, where it's 1800 (normally), much easier to eyeball than 120.
Or-
Get/make a piston stop. I'll assume you want to make one; if you wanted
to just buy new stuff you'd be on newtrucks.com, not oletrucks.
Take the electrodes and ceramic out of an old spark plug, you want just
the steel shell. Hammer work. Find the biggest bolt that'll fit thru
the shell. Grind the end of the bolt nice and round so you won't damage
your pistons. Set up engine at #1 TDC firing stroke. Screw plug shell
into #1 hole. Insert rounded bolt until it touches piston (make sure
bolt is long enough it doesn't fall in). Mark bolt relative to top of
plug shell. Remove bolt and shell. Set up bolt and shell for welding
or brazing. Position bolt in shell so it'll go about 1/16" deeper in
the hole than your mark. Weld/braze assy. Maybe you could drill and
tap the plug shell instead of welding/brazing - that way it's
adjustable....
Now, starting at #1 TDC firing, you can use the piston stop on each hole
in firing order to get it to (or real close to) TDC. Come up on it slow
and careful so you don't mar the piston or bend the stop. The 1/16"
difference to true TDC won't hurt valve lash adjustment; the lifter is
on the cam's base circle this close to TDC. Should be OK for setting
ignition timing initially too.
Bill Gray
william.gray@snet.net
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-oletrucks@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-oletrucks@autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Rob J.
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 9:03 PM
To: old-chevy-truck@yahoogroups.com; _Oletrucks
Subject: [oletrucks] Adjusting valves
I know I should know this, but need a refresher. How do I adjust the
rocker arms to set my valves on my '58 235? I know I need to get them
when each piston is at its own TDC, but don't remember how to find it
for any but #1. I can find TDC for #1, but don't remember how to take
it from there. I know I will set them initially when cold to get close,
and then bring engine to operating temp, and adjust them to hot while
the engine is running. So, can anyone give me a refresher in valve
adjusting 101? OH, yeah...I have solid lifters.
Thanks,
Rob
My Zen Moment for the Day: Always remember, you're unique! Just like
everyone else. oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between
1941 and 1959
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959
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