Valve Tappet Clearance write-up?

[wilbur1]

I seen a pic of the one they sell for 170. Doesn't look like much to it. I will make my own also. I still have 160hrs to go.

[artdf175]

this is not the best forum for messages especially the new software
but to answer your question yes
I dont know what Suzuki is selling the part for now but when I needed one it was something like $400
the heck with that so I made one that works for me
Art

[wilbur1]

looks like it posted ok
This was made from a 6 inch open end wrench(?) that was for one of my grinders
took a lot of heating to bend it without the metal breaking
when centered it allows you to depress the collar that holds the shims in place on both of valves.
Art

You mean it holds 2 valves at the same time.? 1 finger on each valve.?

[duaneb]

Art,
I had the same concerns so I checked and recorded all my clearances before removing the caps. Then I removed the first four caps and partially loosened the bottom cap that spans both shafts. This gave me enough clearance to pop out all of the shims, mic and record the thicknesses and location and loosely bolt the caps in place until I received the correct shims. I followed the same process to install the new shims. Much easier with the tool but if anyone is in a pinch this will work.

[artdf175]

I thought I replied .but don't see it..
No the tool I made, I found a couple of screws (in photo) that fit the thread size.. these actually have an allen head and use a cut off allen bit in my drill for screwing it in and out..
If I am remembering the cam bolts were too short and I didn't want to ruin them having to take them in and out so many times..

And Duane.. re all the bolts for the Cam shaft.. when I looked at the assembly and the fact that you have to rotate it multiple times, I didn't want to take the risk of something falling apart unannounced that I would then have to attempt getting back together correctly.. and you need the cam securely tightened down to do measurement

Art

[jHydroman]

Did you remove the cam cap and use the cap bolts to hold you tool?

[duaneb]

On the DF140's it is possible to remove and replace the shims by removing the camshaft housing bolts and lifting the camshaft. That's the method I used after a failed attempted to make a tool similar to the one Art made. It can be done pretty easily without disturbing the position of the timing chain. The bolts on the housing closest to the timing chain don't need to be completely removed.

[artdf175]

looks like it posted ok
This was made from a 6 inch open end wrench(?) that was for one of my grinders
took a lot of heating to bend it without the metal breaking
when centered it allows you to depress the collar that holds the shims in place on both of valves.
Art

[artdf175]

does this work?

[artdf175]

I was planning on using the index card to insure that I#1 cylinder.(flywheel is only maTDC for #1 cylinder

You might want to know why I waited so long before checking the clearances. It was based on information provided by my Suzuki dealer that it was rare that ever found a need to make adjustments before 500 hours. I also considered the use of my engines' that majority of the hours were at trolling speeds at less than 1000 RPM's. My dealer is a very respected dealer with many awards and I chose to take his advice. My choice might not fit everyone's needs, but in my case it worked out.

Jim

Jim sounds like you have a good dealer but he is taking a lot of risk with with your engine not following the protocol Suzuki, I believe, requires for regular engine maintainence
There is a reason behind checking the clearances long before you get to 500 hours
I have one such engine. so had it in to a dealer I THOUGHT was a good dealer .. Engine was using a fair amount of oil .. .at 200 hours service they should have checked it, they didn’t ..
At 400 some hours I was having major oil consumption now I am having compression problems leak down tests that failed
and ultimately had to find a “real” mechanic and had to rebuild the engine, replacing all the valves as half of them were bad from being out of adjustment. a $5000 plus bill that could have maybe been mitigated if the dealer had followed simple routine maintainence guidelines.
Art

[jHydroman]

Sorry for the confusion, you can find a degree wheel on line and print it.

Jim

[wilbur1]

I gotch ya your using a degree wheel. I thought you meant a regular index card that would go in a file box. Sorry

[jHydroman]

Us the TDC mark on the flywheel to find TDC #1 cylinder (you will have to do this before removing the flywheel cover because the pointer to align the mark on the flywheel in part of the cover.

After you have completed taking reading on #1 cylinder valves rotate the flywheel 180 degrees as shown on Index Card, continue to rotate flywheel 180 degrees between taking valve clearances on each cylinder.

Jim

[wilbur1]

Please explain how you find TDC with an Index card.

[jHydroman]

I was planning on using the index card to insure that I was on TDC is each cylinder other than #1 cylinder.(flywheel is only marked for TDC for #1 cylinder).

After checking clearances on one of my engines yesterday I found that I didn't need the index card. It was easy to position the cam in correct positions for each valve by aligning the highest point of the cam lobe 180 degrees from the tappet.

I placed socket on flywheel bolt and flywheel turned freely with sparkplugs in place.

My engine (DF 140) has 500 hrs on it and it was the first time that the valve clearance had been checked. I found 4 valves at .009" and the other 12 at a loose .008". I choose not to make any adjustments at this time even thought they were out of spec.

You might want to know why I waited so long before checking the clearances. It was based on information provided by my Suzuki dealer that it was rare that ever found a need to make adjustments before 500 hours. I also considered the use of my engines' that majority of the hours were at trolling speeds at less than 1000 RPM's. My dealer is a very respected dealer with many awards and I chose to take his advice. My choice might not fit everyone's needs, but in my case it worked out.

Jim