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Valve Clearance

  1. Remove valve cover. Align crankshaft pulley timing mark with TDC mark. See Fig 1 . Remove distributor cap. Ensure rotor is pointing to No. 1 terminal of distributor cap.
  2. Check intake valve clearance of cylinders No. 1 and 2, and exhaust valve clearance of cylinders No. 1 and 3. See VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS  table. Turn crankshaft one complete revolution (360 degrees). Check intake valve clearance of cylinders No. 3 and 4, and exhaust valve clearance of cylinders No. 2 and 4.
  3. Measure valve clearance between cam lobe and rocker using feeler gauge. Adjust valves by loosening lock nut and turning adjusting screw until clearance is as specified. Hold adjusting screw while tightening lock nut to 96-108 INCH lbs. (10-13 N.m). Recheck clearance.
    Fig 1: Locating Ignition Timing Mark (Tracker)
    G92I26235Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
    VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS

    Application In. (mm)
    Intake & Exhaust (Cold) .005-.007 (.13-.18)
    Intake & Exhaust (Hot) .007-.008 (.18-.20)
  4. Disconnect negative battery cable. Remove valve cover and gaskets. Rotate crankshaft until No. 1 cylinder is at TDC of compression stroke. Ensure timing "V" mark on crankshaft pulley aligns with zero mark on timing belt cover. Remove distributor cap and ensure rotor is positioned to indicate cylinder No. 1 TDC. See Fig 2 .
  5. If rotor is positioned correctly, valves to be adjusted will be closed. If rotor is not positioned correctly, rotate crankshaft clockwise one revolution (360 degrees) to correct position. See Fig 2 .
  6. Using feeler gauge, measure clearance between rocker arm adjusting screw and valve stem on valves No. 1, 2, 5 and 7. See Figure . Adjust valve clearance if not within specification. See VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS  table.
  7. Adjust valves by loosening lock nut and turning adjusting screw until correct clearance is obtained. Hold adjusting screw while tightening lock nut to 13 ft. lbs. (17 N.m) and recheck clearance.
  8. Rotate crankshaft clockwise one revolution (360 degrees). Measure clearance between rocker arm adjusting screw and valve stem on valves No. 3, 4, 6 and 8. See Figure . Adjust valve clearance if not within specification. See VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS  table.
  9. Adjust valves by loosening lock nut and turning adjusting screw until correct clearance is obtained. Hold adjusting screw while tightening lock nut to 13 ft. lbs. (17 N.m) and recheck clearance. Reverse removal procedure to install remaining components.
Fig 2: Rotor Position For Cylinder No. 1 TDC (Tracker)
G95A30817Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
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