How far the Valves Open

SurfrmanX · Post by **SurfrmanX** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:55 am

Hi im looking how the valves work with the camshaft in my stock SOHC head, i remove the rocker arm shaft, and the put it again and torque the bolts to 21 ft/lbs or 252 inch/lbs, so i see that the valves open just a little, i think it will be more open or like in the pics they are ok.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 8:34 am

You're not going to get full lift, until oil pressure is keeping the lash adjusters fully filled.

So that is normal.

Since there are no solid adjustable lash adjusters made for the SOHC, it is nearly impossible to check lift at the valve. You need a dial indicator to check it at the rocker end. Even then depending on where the indicator rests it may not be spot on.

SurfrmanX · Post by **SurfrmanX** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:46 am

Ohhh, so when the engine is running and the oil pumps it makes more hard the lifters inside the roker arm,and that lift more the valves, thats good. In i asume if im installing a camshaft with more lift specs, it opens more.

ZeroChad · Post by **ZeroChad** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:26 am

SurfrmanX wrote:Ohhh, so when the engine is running and the oil pumps it makes more hard the lifters inside the roker arm,and that lift more the valves, thats good. In i asume if im installing a camshaft with more lift specs, it opens more.

Yup. You'll wanna make sure those adjusters are at least half full when you reinstall too.

speedracer · Post by **speedracer** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:47 am

How would you know if your getting adequate oil pressure to your lifters? Would there be alot of valvetrain noise. Mine has been noisy for so long I can't remember what normal sounds like. Plus I hear neons have noisy lifters anyway.

03blackrt · Post by **03blackrt** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:30 pm

Per the FSM...

Lift (Zero Lash)
Intake: 8.65 mm/0.340 in.
Exhaust: 7.95 mm/0.312 in.

quicksilvr · Post by **quicksilvr** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:10 pm

If you can't compress them by hand, they're full enough. If they feel soft or squishy just with finger pressure, then you need to set them in some oil and pump them up manually.

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 9:45 pm

Oh fuck. I had no idea you had to do this shit. I got my head straight back from the machine shop, and just dumped them in the head and rolled with it. This was in August though, would they have pumped up by now?

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:37 pm

invujerry wrote:. This was in August though, would they have pumped up by now?

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:56 pm

I know, I feel really stupid about right now.

Post by **occasional demons** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:11 pm

I thought you were kidding.

Really as long as the rockers/lash adjusters (SOHC) or lash adjusters (DOHC) are previously used, there isn't too much to worry about. They are broken in and lubricated. If the oil isn't 100%, it isn't really any different than the car sitting for a month and the ones that are on open valves getting the oil forced out from the spring pressure.
No one I know of tears into it, to pump the lifters before starting.

The hand pumping method is mainly for new lifters/lash adjusters.
Or if they have been washed in solvent. The best thing to do for storage is to remove from the head, and drop them in a can of oil, and put a cover over it. Just wire a tag, or some other method to keep them in order.

I had mine out for over a month covered sitting on the floor board. I left the rockers assembled. I didn't have any noise at all on startup. Of course I cranked it without the plugs in to ensure full lubrication first.

Fuzzyneon · Post by **Fuzzyneon** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 1:59 am

invujerry wrote:I know, I feel really stupid about right now.

jerry doesn't know something *gasp* its cool ill still bother the shit out fo you for noob stuff:-p

INVUJerry · Post by **INVUJerry** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:29 am

Not everything man, not everything haha. That's what forums are for!!

I did crank the car a ton before it started. I had my cam magnet orientation off.

Post by **occasional demons** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 9:41 am

I suppose it would be more critical on DOHC since the cam follower may be spit out if the lash is extremely loose. IDK if it can actually happen. I had a worn cam on my Omni that resulted in a similiar result. It damaged the lash adjuster to come out tho. But those were the slipper type, not the nice rollers the newer 2.2/DOHC's have.

esteinmaier · Post by **esteinmaier** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:52 pm

Whenever you put together a motor, you should be cranking it over a bit to prime the ENTIRE oiling system anyway. Within a couple seconds, it's not an issue anymore. And if you can destroy an engine in a couple seconds at 2000 RPM, there's something wrong more than not oil-soaking some parts.