Ford: adjusting my valves on my ford ranger 1984 ENGINE 2.8, spark plug gap, gas mileage

Question
hello i have a 1984 ford ranger which i'm trying to adjust the valve so it would run smooth and won't be clicking or poping thru the carb. this is what i did. i heard my valves tapping and the engine ildeling rough so i pull my valve covers and turn the engine for each valve and adjusting them one at a time. making sure that the valve is closed when the cam notch is down .then i would snug the adjusting nut to where i can get a spark plug gap of 0.30. please tell me the correct way to adsjust my valves from clicking or poping through the carb. hope to hear from you soon Frank

Answer
hey there frank.

what you've done so far is fairly good.  just be careful not to change the position of those cams, or else you know what will happen.  sometimes popping is actually just from the pressure change against the unburned fuel.  make sure when you are done that the cams are relubed. this will really help.  and don't be afraid to point the intake valves directly at the exhaust valves.  if both are working correctly, you will not have any loss of fuel.  if you find that your gas mileage is as good as it should be, i would choose another type of spark plug.  one with a slightly larger gap, if possible.  for such an old car, 0.30 seems a bit low to me.  other than that, your procedure is correct.  i hope i helped you frank, but email me again if you need more info.

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