QuestionQUESTION: How do I adjust the valves on a 1940 chevy pickup with a 216 engine?
ANSWER: do you have mechanical or hydraulic? Don't trust what they "should" be.
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QUESTION: They are mechanical, but it is a 1948 model engine in a 1940 pickup.
AnswerThis is loud, hot, messy, and a little scary, but actually one of my most fun things to do to an engine. Pay attention to details and you too can do this.
First find feeler gauges (the tab kind, not the loops) for the appropiate gap on your engine. (ask auto parts house or Chevy dealer for specs)
Then remove your valve cover. (This will get very,VERY messy. Best done over cardboard and oil absorber or outside over plastic.) Get a box-end wrench that fits the nut on the tip of your rocker arm, not the center. Get a flat screwdriver or wrench (depending on rocker) that fits the adjuster on your rocker tips, GET A RAG or two or ten.
Crank the engine and with it running, adjust the gap so that there is just no noise with the feeler gauge in the gap. Once adjusted, be sure you tighten the lock down nut while holding the center. Do this to every one. If you can't get the feeler in, back off the adjuster until your can.
Re-assemble.
NOTE: it does not hurt to PRECHECK these with a gauge without the engine running if your are comfortable about getting each piston to Top Dead Center before checking its valves. (I don't precheck unless there is just an awful rattle.)
