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Revision as of 05:39, 14 May 2012

The valves should be adjusted every 12 months, or per the Nissan factory Schedule.

1 Overview
2 Specification
- 2.1 Cold Setting
3 Procedure
4 Adjustment Method
5 Turning the Engine
6 Parts

Overview

In addition to the tune-up schedule, also adjust the valves:

whenever the head gasket is changed
whenever any valve parts are changed or loosened (Valve seals, Rocker arms, Rocker shaft, etc.)

If you are setting the tappet adjustment you should be able to put the timing mark at TDC and adjust four of the tappets then rotate the crank once back to TDC and adjust the other four. Details are below.

Specification

From the Nissan Factory Service Manual for A12 engine:

HOT: 0.35 mm (14 thousands inch)

USA 1972 Owners manual (see pages 40 for Valve Clearance Specification):

Valve clearance (hot) 0.014 in (0.35 mm)

Cold Setting

Per Nissan:

Setting clearance on cold valves is recommended only as an initial step -- for example, after assembling a cylinder head. At all other times, set clearances only when the valves are hot

1972 COLD: 0.25 mm (10 thousands inch)
1973 COLD: 0.35 mm (14 thousands inch)
Tested cold: 0.33 (13 thousands inch)

NOTE: The 1972 manual has the cold specification at 0.25 mm (0.0098"). The 1973 manual lists it at 0.35 mm (.014 inch). Either one works OK, but Nissan recommends resetting lash after getting engine to full temperature (set it HOT).

The Service Bulletin confirms the .25 mm COLD setting. In my personal tests of HOT setting at .35 then letting the engine cool overnight, it returned to a .33 COLD -- so I've been setting it to .33 COLD for the last 25+ years with great success (I've never had a valve problem).

Corrected by Service Bulletin:

Procedure

Block the wheels, set the handbrake, and put the transmission in nuetral
Remove the Rocker cover
Turn the engine to the TDC mark.

It's easiest to turn clockwise, but you can turn it either direction.
- TIP: Grab the fan and turn it. It is very easy to turn the engine this way if you remove all four spark plugs, but this is not strictly necessary
- See below for more methods on turning the engine
You now need to figure out which TDC it is on. TDC for power stroke or exhaust stroke? Wiggle the rocker arms. At the TDC mark, either the first two rockers will be slightly loose, or the last two will be. Adjust the four loose ones (See details on just how, below)
Verify which TDC it is at by removing the distributor cap and noting where the rotor point to: Either the no. 1 sparkplug wire, or the no. 4 wire.
Rotor pointing to #1 plug wire
- adjust valves 1,2,3,5 (counting from front of engine)
Rotor pointing to #4 plugs wire
- adjust valves 4,6,7,8
Rotate the engine one full turn, again to the TDC mark
Adjust the other four valves
Replace rocker cover

CAUTION: Do not overtighten screws for rocker 
cover. Just finger tight.

Technically, these are the valves at TDC. But in practice they should be the only loose ones.

No. 1 TDC: Adjust valves 1,2,3,5 (counting from front of engine)
No. 4 TDC: Adjust valves 4,6,7,8

You can verify which TDC it is at by removing the distributor cap and noting whether the rotor point to the no. 1 sparkplug wire, or the no. 4 wire.

Adjustment Method

Use a feeler gauge:

Loosen the 12mm locknut
You want the feeler to just be able to slip in, and have a slight drag
- If it is a loose fit, tighten the rocker stud (straight screwdriver)
- If it is very tight, very difficult to slip in, loosen it a bit
After re-tightening the locknut, check the clearance again

TIP: You may need to do this several times on each 
rocker before getting the hang of it. This is normal.

Too loose: Valves make 'clicking' or 'tapping' sound
and wear excessively

Too tight: Valves may get burned

Check for success: After replacing the rocker cover, Start the engine. Success is:

Valves are quiet (no ticking whatsoever)
Engine idles smooth

Turning the Engine

Use one of the following methods (in order of recommendation):

Turn the engine by grabbing the fan and turning. It's easiest to turn clockwise, but you can turn it either direction. If the fan belt is not loose, this works very well. It has the advantage of all methods in that you have fine control over turning the engine back and forth. If the fan belt slips, see adjusting drive belt.
- TIP: It is very easy to turn if you remove all four spark plugs, but this is not strictly necessary. If the plugs are in, you have to slowly turn it against the compression. But it works.
Use a socket and ratchet on the crank pulley with the tranny in neutral and turn it by hand. This is a good method, just don't forget to remove the wrench before staring the engine!
Use a bump switch hooked up to the starter (or try turning the key briefly). This is a hit-and-miss method with no fine control. Be sure to disconnect the power wire to the coil so it doesn't spark.
Put car in 4th gear and push/pull the whole car to make the driveshaft turn the engine until the marks line up.

Parts

Usually no parts are needed, except sometimes a new Rocker cover gasket. Usually you don't need a new rocker gasket, unless it breaks coming off. The rubber-type A-series rocker gaskets last forever. The cork-type often breaks.

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Valve adjustment