Valve Clearance

Check valve clearance with engine cold. Remove valve cover and gasket. Rotate crankshaft pulley so crankshaft pulley groove aligns with "0" mark on timing chain cover and cylinder No. 1 (front cylinder) is at TDC on compression stroke.
Ensure 1-dot and 2-dot timing marks on camshaft sprockets are aligned. See Fig 1. If timing marks are not aligned, rotate crankshaft pulley one full revolution (360 degrees).
Ensure valves on cylinder No. 1 are loose. Using feeler gauge, measure and record valve clearance of intake valves on cylinders No. 1, 2 and 4 and exhaust valves on cylinders No. 1, 3 and 5. See Fig 2.

Fig 1: Aligning Camshaft Sprocket Timing Marks
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Fig 2: Identifying Cylinder Numbers & Valve Arrangement
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
Rotate crankshaft pulley clockwise one full revolution (360 degrees), and realign align crankshaft pulley groove with "0" mark on timing chain cover. Using feeler gauge, measure and record valve clearance of intake valves on cylinders No. 3, 5 and 6 and exhaust valves on cylinders No. 2, 4 and 6. See Fig 2.

Ensure valve clearance is within specification. See the VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS table.

VALVE CLEARANCE SPECIFICATIONS

Application

⁽¹⁾ In. (mm)

Exhaust

.010-.014 (.25-.35)

Intake

.006-.010 (.15-.25)

⁽¹⁾	Adjust valve clearance with engine cold.

SHIM THICKNESS

Thickness mm (in.)	Shim No.
2.50 (0.0984)	1
2.55 (0.1004)	2
2.60 (0.1024)	3
2.65 (0.1043)	4
2.70 (0.1063)	5
2.75 (0.1083)	6
2.80 (0.1102)	7
2.85 (0.1122)	8
2.90 (0.1142)	9
2.95 (0.1161)	10
3.00 (0.1181)	11
3.05 (0.1201)	12
3.10 (0.1220)	13
3.15 (0.1240)	14
3.20 (0.1260)	15
3.25 (0.1280)	16
3.30 (0.1299)	17

If valve clearance adjustment is required on any valve except rear valves on No. 6 cylinder, rotate crankshaft pulley so camshaft lobe is facing upward on valve to be adjusted. Position adjusting shim notch area so notch area is toward spark plug.
Valve Clearance Adjuster (SST 09248-66011) is used for adjusting valve clearance. Press valve lifter downward using SST "A" of valve clearance adjuster. See Fig 3. Install SST "B" between camshaft and valve lifter. Remove SST "A".

Fig 3: Removing & Installing Valve Clearance Adjusting Shim
Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002
Using small screwdriver and magnet, remove adjusting shim. Using micrometer, measure thickness of removed adjusting shim. Using measured clearance and adjusting shim thickness, determine correct thickness of adjusting shim to be used. See SHIM THICKNESS table.
Install proper adjusting shim. Using SST "A", press downward on valve lifter and remove SST "B". Recheck valve clearance.
If valve clearance adjustment is required on rear valves on No. 6 cylinder, manufacturer states to remove camshafts for access to adjusting shim. See appropriate ENGINE article in ENGINE MECHANICAL section.
Using small screwdriver and magnet, remove adjusting shim. Using micrometer, measure thickness of adjusting shim removed. Using measured clearance and adjusting shim thickness, determine correct thickness of adjusting shim to be used. See SHIM THICKNESS table. Install adjusting shim and camshaft. Recheck valve clearance. See SHIM THICKNESS table. Shim thickness can also be determined by using the following formula: N = T + A.
- N = Thickness of adjuster shim required.
- T = Thickness of adjuster shim removed.
- A = Measured clearance minus valve clearance specification.
Once all valves are properly adjusted, install valve cover using NEW gasket. Check and adjust ignition timing if distributor was removed. See IGNITION TIMING .