To Check the Valve Clearances

[WIL35]

To check the valve clearances on a 4.2, do the air intake/thottle bodies need to come off or can the cam cover come out from underneath it?

I'm giving the car a 12k service, according to the schedule, and this is one thing I'm not sure if I should take it in to get done or try myself. Have done plenty of Lancia Twin Cam valve clearances in the past, but those shims could be changed with the cam in place!

Thanks.

[JensenA]

I suppose this is one of those jobs that a competent DIY mechanic should, in theory be able to do, but from what I've heard, you really need to know what you are doing. The cam does have to come out, then fit the shim, cam back in, check clearance. You will also need a supply of shims to enable you to do it. Theres a good reason why it's an expensive job even for an AJP expert!
Howevewr if you do do it yourself, hats off to you mate, document it and take some pics, and just perhaps a few more of us may be mad enough to give it a go.

[TvrJohn]

Agree i would really like to know the detail of how to do this service task, is the info not avaliable ?

[WIL35]

At the moment I'd like to just check the clearances, then I could take it somewhere if any need doing. It's hard to tell by listening as there's quite a bit of noise from the top end anyway.

It's the bit about slackening the timing chain and tying the chain to the pulley to allow it to come off the camshaft and remain in the same place that puts me off!

[jbvipercerb]

I,ve done the tappets myself on my 4.2, and did a posting on here at the begining of may 07, headed Tappet Shims. If you want to do a search for that you'll find it. There's some pictures as well.
I can do the tappets but I don't know how make a link to the post!!

[Peasantplucker]

Someone on here has fabricated a home-made tool to clamp the camshaft down with the cover off so you can check the clearance, so it can't be that difficult

[The AJP Griff]

jbvipercerb said:

I,ve done the tappets myself on my 4.2, and did a posting on here at the begining of may 07, headed Tappet Shims. If you want to do a search for that you'll find it. There's some pictures as well.
I can do the tappets but I don't know how make a link to the post!!

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=388084 

[julian64]

Can I suggest the clamp to hold the cam gear in place is relatively easy. In fact you can borrow mine as you are kent based. You'll only need it however if you take the rocker cover off and find the tappets are off (which you will ). Airboxes and rocker cover off, but you souldn't need the trumpets off even with the 4.2.

The bit thats really gonna burn your noggin is how to find top dead centre to put it all back together again.

ITS NOT MARKED ON THE BLOODY PULLEY.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[WIL35]

julian64 said:

The bit thats really gonna burn your noggin is how to find top dead centre to put it all back together again.

ITS NOT MARKED ON THE BLOODY PULLEY.

That's what I'm concerned about! Assuming the timing is already set, isn't it possible to put marks on the pulleys and camshafts so they can go back exactly as they were?

I'm pleased that I should be able to at least check them without taking off the intake assembly, just the cam covers.