Valve Question

[Lawayna]

I have a 1989 454 ltd, anyway just had the valves adjusted, I watched the mechanic and he explaind the process to me. So my question for you guys is
this.

He showed me theat all but one valve where adjusted to tight, there was no lashing between the points, he said if he adjusted them (loosened them) that I would loose combustion. (i am having trouble understanting this)

I just read somewhere else that valves that are to tight lead to broke or bent valves.

Should I adjust my valves to spec or leave them be?

Thanks
Lawayna

[ssrsonny]

find another mechanic.the guy is an idiot.set the valves at stock specs.if the valve is to tight you will loose compression and possibly burn a valve if it is really tight.after you adjust it ride a 100 miles or so and double check that one.

[NCDave]

+1

having them too tight will hurt the bike.

[Lawn Masters]

too tight, and you risk burning a valve, losing compression and power, too loose, it wont open fully, also causing a loss of power. believe me, I've set tons of valves, you dont want em too tight. keep em within the factory specs, on kawi's I like setting them in between the tightest and loosest tolerances. If the max is .008 and minimum is .005 or so, I'll typically go .006/7 depending on the bike.

Find another mechanic, clearly the person you're talking to is a moron.

[MFolks]

On this type of engine as the valve seat and valve wear, the valve(s) move(s) further toward the cams. If the clearance becomes to the point there is no gap, the valve can stay open enough to burn from overheating. It must contact the seat to cool if even for a very short amount of time.

If the engine is noisey I'd not worry too much, but if it gets real quiet it's time to check the gaps.

[Lawayna]

On this type of engine as the valve seat and valve wear, the valve(s) move(s) further toward the cams. If the clearance becomes to the point there is no gap, the valve can stay open enough to burn from overheating. It must contact the seat to cool if even for a very short amount of time.

If the engine is noisey I'd not worry too much, but if it gets real quiet it's time to check the gaps.

I am not sure what you mean here, are you saying that it is ok to have no clearence?

Its the noise that my bike is makeing right now that worries me.

the tapping under the valve cover.

[NCDave]

having noise is better than not having any.

[ssrsonny]

having noise is better than not having any.

noy really.on the j-model motors they make more noise when the valves are to tight.you dont get the oil film to quieten them down.

[Lawayna]

ok I am trying to remember everything he told me and That I saw. When he removed the valve cover and everything else he started measuring the gap
he wrote everything down for me, then he adjusted one valve then said that the rest where to tight and that whom ever was in the engine before had set them to tight, I asked why not set them to spec and he said that I would loose compression. So being green to this I took his word.

He did leave me the measurements, hope fully they will make sence to your guys

all exahoust valves are .008
IN IN
1 and 2 1 and 2
.007-.006 .006 and .005

Mabey this will make more sense

thanks

[Lawn Masters]

yup, your mechanic is a MORON. too TIGHT would cause you to lose compression as the valve will eventually not seal against the seat as it should, ultimately causing burnt valves. my advice, buy the manual and learn to adjust your valves yourself, saving LOTS of money in the process, or find a new mechanic who is competent, and spread the word about the idiot that did your valves.

[ssrsonny]

does'nt look to bad.i dont remember what the valves set at on it but that is probably pretty close.look under the seat and see if there is a white sticker anywhere that gives the specs on it.

[Saki 305]

Okay so if there is not enough clearance there will be no compression, among other things. What happens if there is too much clearence? Will it still run, just not as good? Or are there bad results?

[Lawn Masters]

too much clearance will cause the valve to simply not open fully, or not open at all.

[Lawayna]

I found the sticker and the gap is within spec. I don't know why he was saying they where to tight. I specifically remember at one point looking at the gap and seeing none, I couldn't even get the gauge in myself. Mabey he did not have the motor turned correctly. He kept saying that whom ever was in there before had messed up.

One may never know.

[ssrsonny]

i think i would recheck the valves.just to make sure they are what he said.