Valve adjustment DIY

[Mayfair]

AWESOME job Dave !!!! Jake, what are you talking about with these "bridges"?

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[jakebrake]

on the 24v's they use what is called a valve bridge. See how there are only 2 rocker arms to each cylinder, the valvebridge sits on top of both valves and the rocker presses down in the middle openeing both valves. Without it you'd have to have 4 rockers per cylinder.

[kg1687]

thanks dave. Now i don't have to worry about trying to post the pictures and DIY and making it look sloppy and such.

[Joel_MD]

Thanks for the great DIY.

By the way, nice Snap-On torque wrench. I may have to get me one of those, as my old Craftsman torque wrench just crapped out after about 15 years of use. I couldn't afford Snap-On 15 years ago!

[Super Dave]

ORIGINAL: hildenja

Thanks for the great DIY.

By the way, nice Snap-On torque wrench. I may have to get me one of those, as my old Craftsman torque wrench just crapped out after about 15 years of use. I couldn't afford Snap-On 15 years ago!

Thanks. As far as torque wrenches go, Snap On are probably the best, IMO. They make fancier ones, but they are more prone to damage.
That is my baby one. I have its big brother in a 1/2" drive, but I still need to get a 3/8" drive wrench to fill the gap between the two.
Luckily a friend of mine works in the prescision measurements lab on base and he calibrates them for me every once in a while. As long as you don't drop them or bang them around and always store them at their lowest setting, they really don't need calibration. They will stay calibrated for years.

[Drew]

ORIGINAL: Super Dave

Thanks. As far as torque wrenches go, Snap On are probably the best, IMO. They make fancier ones, but they are more prone to damage.
That is my baby one. I have its big brother in a 1/2" drive, but I still need to get a 3/8" drive wrench to fill the gap between the two.
Luckily a friend of mine works in the prescision measurements lab on base and he calibrates them for me every once in a while. As long as you don't drop them or bang them around and always store them at their lowest setting, they really don't need calibration. They will stay calibrated for years.

I work in a lab just like your friend does. . .snap-on and CDI are the ones that we have the fewest problems out of, and are also the easiest to adjust if they are out. you also have to remember to set them back to their lowest setting or you'll damage the spring.

it's always fun doing the 1000ft-lb wrenches, we even have the ability to check up to 2500ft-lb

[BLEWMONEY]

how often are you guys adjusting the valves? i have an 06 3500 andi dont see valve adjustment in the schedule before 135,000 miles

[Drew]

80-100K. . . .but you can do it when you start hearing alot of valve rattle.

[Methos]

Awesome write up. I'm planning on doing this probably at my next scheduled service and I was on the fence about doing it or having it done. This makes it look pretty simple, I think I'll give it a go.

One question though, is the cover gasket reusable (pending of course that it's not damaged in any way) or should it be replaced?

[jakebrake]

Re-usable gasket, It's pretty durable, as long as you don't use a screw driver to pry the valve cover up.