Valve Adjustment - Lessons Learned
Well, I completed my first valve adjustment and it went well. I am not a mechanic, but I am mechanically inclined so anyone in the "same boat" can do this.
The instructions in the FAQ are very helpful. A few lessons learned. Here are MY recommendations:
1) Take out the spark plugs so you can manually crank the engine. It's alot easier than trying to push the FJ40 while in 4th gear. Plus, it's easy to overshoot the timing mark. If you're concerned about the engine cooling those extra 3 or 4 minutes, run the engine again for a few minutes with the valve cover off. Shut off the ignition and then take out the plugs and go from there. (Oil will not squirt everywhere.) I cranked the engine by pulling on the alternator belt.
2) At first I misinterpreted the instructions. When it says to "turn crankshaft one complete revolution," that point is when the distributor is pointing opposite #1 (#6). Don't do what I did the first time and turn the engine so that the distributor is in the #1 position (again). The #4 and #6 valves will not adjust. I don't know what I was thinking, but it made sense at the time.
3) Once you're done (and since your spark plugs are already out) do a compression check and see the results of your efforts.
Here are the instructions (color diagrams) I found very helpful:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/232126-first-valve-adjustment-my-78-fj40.html
Good luck!
Well, I completed my first valve adjustment and it went well. I am not a mechanic, but I am mechanically inclined so anyone in the "same boat" can do this.
The instructions in the FAQ are very helpful. A few lessons learned. Here are MY recommendations:
1) Take out the spark plugs so you can manually crank the engine. It's alot easier than trying to push the FJ40 while in 4th gear. Plus, it's easy to overshoot the timing mark. If you're concerned about the engine cooling those extra 3 or 4 minutes, run the engine again for a few minutes with the valve cover off. Shut off the ignition and then take out the plugs and go from there. (Oil will not squirt everywhere.) I cranked the engine by pulling on the alternator belt.
2) At first I misinterpreted the instructions. When it says to "turn crankshaft one complete revolution," that point is when the distributor is pointing opposite #1 (#6). Don't do what I did the first time and turn the engine so that the distributor is in the #1 position (again). The #4 and #6 valves will not adjust. I don't know what I was thinking, but it made sense at the time.
3) Once you're done (and since your spark plugs are already out) do a compression check and see the results of your efforts.
Here are the instructions (color diagrams) I found very helpful:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/232126-first-valve-adjustment-my-78-fj40.html
Good luck!
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