Quote Originally Posted by Blknight.aus View Post
Heres how I do my initial set when building up an engine (replace the head/rockershaft)

background details
the clearance is .2mm
the adjuster is 1.25mm thread, (from memory)
the rocker is leveraged so the contact for the valve is further out from the pivot than the adjuster.

tighten the adjuster up to the point of contact and then back it off apx 1/8th of a turn. ( I go a little less as tightening up the lock nut backs the adjuster off apx .02mm)

Remember you have to do it by rule of 5 or rule of 9 for the initial set but when you have #1 on TDC after the compression you can adjust 4 valves at a time, from memory its 1235 then turn the crank 360 degrees and do 4678.

IF you've got the ear for it, you can do it by the noise off the rockers... IF they are clicking then theyre loose. once they're oiled and the engine is warmed up if (a) the rocker is leaving tracks in the oil on the cap (b) you cant make it move by prying it gently you're too tight. And yes oil visocisty counts.. Ive got some ancedotal indications that if you run a thinner oil then you need to set them a fraction tight, if your running a thicker oil you want them just a fraction loose

I advocate setting them cold and checking them hot.
Thanks
Took a guess at just shy of 1/4 turn off zero clearance by feel to get it back together (rule of 9)… much MUCH better but obviously not right…..Got some feeler gauges and will reset once car is cold again.