Valve clearance

[Bikeboy]

I pulled off my cam cover to refinish it yesterday. Boy did it ever need it. I figured I would check my valve clearance while I was in there. Man, my clearance is way off. Don't know how it got this way,but I measured 0.18mm on the exhaust side and 0.08mm on the intake side, what gives. This motor has never been gone into. So I don't know how I ended up with such small clearance's. It seems to run fine like it is, not getting the top end it should, 118mph. I was wondering, if I adjust the clearance to what it's suppose to be will that help. Book said clearance for intake is 0.16mm-0.20mm and 0.21mm-0.24mm for exhaust. I'am no where near these measurements. Anyway, hear are some before and after pictures of my cam cover. Lots of sanding and polishing my friends.

[John]

The small clearances may be because the valves are wearing into the seats, and therefore sitting taller in the head. I had to ask the same question a while ago myself. This explaination made sense to me.

[Bikeboy]

[Bikeboy]

[Bikeboy]

Sorry guys

I did'nt mean to put these pictures on this page, meant to put them on the xs/xj page.

[chevy45412001]

very nice

Good job on the valve cover ,by the way i'm heading down that road soon (cam chain r&r,and valve clearence check) miy cover needs spifing up too,you interested...lol

[Bikeboy]

Re: very nice

Originally posted by chevy45412001
Good job on the valve cover ,by the way i'm heading down that road soon (cam chain r&r,and valve clearence check) miy cover needs spifing up too,you interested...lol

Thanks Chevy, but no thanks. Those valve covers are a bugger to polish.

[Czekus21]

I polished up mine. Got a little spendy. Buffing wheel, white polish stick stuff (ruge)( Spelling sucks ) burned up a drill that I clamped into a vise. But turned out like yours, kinda , I didn't get all fancy with the pain and stuff. Looks good. #ell, looks alot better then mine . Now ya got me thinkin and now I'm jealous, darn it, now I'm gonna have to go and paint something.

[srq68]

Nice polishing job!

Did you use 2 or 3 step process in the buffing?

Also, do you spray clear coat once you are done or just keep it clean and buff regularly?

What kind of CC do you use if so?

Thanks

[Bikeboy]

Polishing

Originally posted by srq68
Nice polishing job!

Did you use 2 or 3 step process in the buffing?

Also, do you spray clear coat once you are done or just keep it clean and buff regularly?

What kind of CC do you use if so?

Thanks

I used a 3 step method. First I used an automotive stripper, to strip the factory ( clearcoat) finish off. Then I sanded with 320 grit wet sand paper. Then buffed with coarse (brown) high cut compound, then buffed with (white) buffing compound. And no I did'nt put a clear coat on, because it makes the gloss a little dull. Just have to rebuff once a year. Painted fins on top with Metal Cast made by Dupli Color.