Adjusting valve clearance

[BeezFun]

Adjusting valves on my CM274, it has a 3 cyl Shibaura. What's the easiest way to rotate engine? Should I remove glow plugs to do this? Some engines have a timing mark that's used to find TDC, doesn't seem to be any mention of that.

 

[TractorTech]

BeezFun, not necessary to find TDC to adjust valves. If I remember right, you can put a socket on the crank pulley nut to rotate. You can tell when the cam is off of the valve you need to adjust by watching the intake and exhast. As you rotate, the intake will open, then the exhaust and after the exhaust closes, you can adjust both.
Bumping the starter with the injection pump solenoid wire removed is another way to rotate the engine to adjust valves.

 

[BeezFun]

OK thanks. I've done lots of gas engines, never a diesel, I'm thinking compression is so high it will be hard to turn by hand. That's why I thought about taking glow plugs out.

 

[JC-jetro]

OK thanks. I've done lots of gas engines, never a diesel, I'm thinking compression is so high it will be hard to turn by hand. That's why I thought about taking glow plugs out.

You can loosen the glow plug some to release the compression force.

JC,

 

[Ultradog MN]

This is incorrect.
As you turn the engine over the exhaust valve will open, then close.
Then the intake valve will open, then close.
Now turn the engine over 1/2 turn more and you will be at TDC on that cylinder and can adjust both valves.
Repeat for the number of cylinders you have.

 

[BeezFun]

As you turn the engine over the exhaust valve will open, then close.
Then the intake valve will open, then close.
Now turn the engine over 1/2 turn more and you will be at TDC on that cylinder and can adjust both valves.
Repeat for the number of cylinders you have.

thanks

 

[TractorTech]

Trying to picture in my head and got it backwards. Main thing is once the cam lobe is off of the valve it can be adjusted.

 

[V1Rotate]

How often do should we check the valve clearance? I've got a TC-29DA with just over 1000 hours and was wondering if the valves need checking, the engine runs great.

 

[BeezFun]

How often do should we check the valve clearance? I've got a TC-29DA with just over 1000 hours and was wondering if the valves need checking, the engine runs great.

Check your manual, my engine calls for adjustment at 600 hours. I'd say that's pretty typical.

 

[TractorTech]

600 hrs. is pretty typical, but 1000 hours is workable and easier to remember. Better than not at all which tends to be common.