Valve adjustment cost? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

my new 72 · 01-03-2004, 01:40 AM

How much does a valve adjustment usually cost? I don't really have the time to try to get this right, so what do you guys usually pay when you do pay for one?

*rage'nrat638* · 01-03-2004, 01:46 AM

most shop's charge 65.00 to 80.00 hour....

i would expect to pay about 150.00

Chevelle454 · 01-03-2004, 01:48 AM

Most of the people on here do it themselves I think. It's pretty simple.

On my '72, with hydraulic lifters, you just have the valve closed, tighten the nut until you feel resistance on the pushrod, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn. Do that for each valve, and your done(If you have hydraulic lifters).

my new 72 · 01-03-2004, 01:54 AM

150, your kidding me right? I expected maybe a bill, but 150, crap.

Chevelle454 · 01-03-2004, 01:59 AM

It's really not that difficult. Do you have a manual for your truck?

Gordo · 01-03-2004, 01:59 AM

At least two hours plus gaskets, $150 would be fair.

my new 72 · 01-03-2004, 02:08 AM

Yeah I have a manual. Just not alot of time. I guess I'll go to the yard and get some cheap valve covers tomorrow and try again hot and running.

70short/step · 01-03-2004, 02:29 AM

Hers a link that shows that you only have to bring it up to TDC and you adjust half of the valves. Then you turn it over 360 degrees and adjust the other half of them. You tighten them down to 0 lash and then another 3/4 turn. Heres the link.....
http://www.thedirtforum.com/chevyvalves.htm

my new 72 · 01-03-2004, 02:38 AM

I did it that way, no dice, it made it worse. I'm just gonna do it the hot running way.

Longhorn Man · 01-03-2004, 02:40 AM

I prefer teh while running method myself.
I also only go 1/2 past zero lash. You get a quicker revving engine and it supposedly frees up some power too.

70short/step · 01-03-2004, 02:42 AM

The adjusting while running is fine if you like a mess and your engine runs. But if you setting up your engine for its first start up this is a better way!! LOL. To each his own. Short/Step

zenish · 01-03-2004, 02:49 AM

find an old valve cover and cut the top part off right below the adjuster screws .mount it on as you adjust the valves to catch the oil.

Jerdog · 01-03-2004, 02:53 AM

I really don't like having to adjust lifters while the engine is running. Makes a big mess! But I haven't had much luck using the other method after the lifters have pumped up. Works great with new lifters though. What's your lifters doing that makes you want to adjust them?

70short/step · 01-03-2004, 02:54 AM

You can also use a hole saw just big enough to get the socket thru and drill a hole directly above each adjusting nut. That way Not much oil gets out. It takes time to do but it keeps things alot cleaner!

my new 72 · 01-03-2004, 02:56 AM

Well. like I said this is a running engine, and if you are doing a fresh build, then it is much more accurate to adjust the valves with the intake off so you can rotate the crank and visually see when the lifters are on the bottom of their cycle.

my new 72 · 01-03-2004, 02:57 AM

clicky clicky clicky

01-03-2004, 01:40 AM	#1
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	Valve adjustment cost? How much does a valve adjustment usually cost? I don't really have the time to try to get this right, so what do you guys usually pay when you do pay for one? __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

01-03-2004, 01:48 AM	#3
Chevelle454 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 380	Most of the people on here do it themselves I think. It's pretty simple. On my '72, with hydraulic lifters, you just have the valve closed, tighten the nut until you feel resistance on the pushrod, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn. Do that for each valve, and your done(If you have hydraulic lifters). __________________ 1972 C10 1972 C20

01-03-2004, 01:54 AM	#4
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	150, your kidding me right? I expected maybe a bill, but 150, crap. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

01-03-2004, 01:59 AM	#5
Chevelle454 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 380	It's really not that difficult. Do you have a manual for your truck? __________________ 1972 C10 1972 C20

01-03-2004, 01:59 AM	#6
Gordo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Killingworth, CT. USA Posts: 3,378	At least two hours plus gaskets, $150 would be fair. __________________ 1971 C10 swb stepside 350/700R4/3.73posi (retired as of 4/22/03) 1998 S10 short bed 2002 S10 Blazer 1942 Oldsmobile 1958 Massey Harris Pony 1951 Wife Killingworth, Connecticut May those who love us, love us, any of those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts. And if God is unable to turn their hearts, may he turn their ankles so we may know them by their limping. A man who works with his hands is a laborer; a man who works with his hands and his brain is a craftsman; but a man who works with his hands and his brain and his heart is an artist.

01-03-2004, 01:46 AM	#2
rage'nrat638 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: THE FALL GUY CHICAGO IL Posts: 5,883	most shop's charge 65.00 to 80.00 hour.... i would expect to pay about 150.00

01-03-2004, 02:08 AM	#7
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	Yeah I have a manual. Just not alot of time. I guess I'll go to the yard and get some cheap valve covers tomorrow and try again hot and running. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

01-03-2004, 02:29 AM	#8
70short/step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,579	Hers a link that shows that you only have to bring it up to TDC and you adjust half of the valves. Then you turn it over 360 degrees and adjust the other half of them. You tighten them down to 0 lash and then another 3/4 turn. Heres the link..... http://www.thedirtforum.com/chevyvalves.htm

01-03-2004, 02:38 AM	#9
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	I did it that way, no dice, it made it worse. I'm just gonna do it the hot running way. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

01-03-2004, 02:40 AM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	I prefer teh while running method myself. I also only go 1/2 past zero lash. You get a quicker revving engine and it supposedly frees up some power too.

01-03-2004, 02:42 AM	#11
70short/step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,579	The adjusting while running is fine if you like a mess and your engine runs. But if you setting up your engine for its first start up this is a better way!! LOL. To each his own. Short/Step

01-03-2004, 02:49 AM	#12
zenish Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: stallings,nc Posts: 401	find an old valve cover and cut the top part off right below the adjuster screws .mount it on as you adjust the valves to catch the oil.

01-03-2004, 02:53 AM	#13
Jerdog Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 38	I really don't like having to adjust lifters while the engine is running. Makes a big mess! But I haven't had much luck using the other method after the lifters have pumped up. Works great with new lifters though. What's your lifters doing that makes you want to adjust them?

01-03-2004, 02:54 AM	#14
70short/step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,579	You can also use a hole saw just big enough to get the socket thru and drill a hole directly above each adjusting nut. That way Not much oil gets out. It takes time to do but it keeps things alot cleaner!

01-03-2004, 02:56 AM	#15
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	Well. like I said this is a running engine, and if you are doing a fresh build, then it is much more accurate to adjust the valves with the intake off so you can rotate the crank and visually see when the lifters are on the bottom of their cycle. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.



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01-03-2004, 02:57 AM	#16
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	clicky clicky clicky __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

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