Ensuring you adjust the valves on a Ford 351W engine with hydraulic roller lifters is not something for just anyone to do, because it calls for undivided attention. Hydraulic lifters don’t need periodic adjustment like solid lifters, but they must be setup properly at first to guarantee the best performance and long life. The following is a detailed guide on how to set valves in Ford 351W engines with hydraulic roller lifters.
Preparations:
- Turn Off Engine: Before starting make sure that the engine is off and has cooled down.
- Safety: Disconnect battery and put on safety glasses and gloves
- Workspace: Ensure that there is enough light and accessibility to the engine compartment.
- Tools: Gather all necessary tools such as feeler gauge, wrench set, torque wrench, flat head screwdriver etc.
Procedure:
1.Remove Valve Covers:
- Using your spanner remove bolts holding valve covers in place.
- Take them out completely so as to expose rockers’ arms and valves.
2.Bring Engine to TDC:
- Start by removing the spark plug from cylinder 1.
- When a lengthy screwdriver will be introduced into the spark plug hole,
- Then use another wrench while rotating manually till such time when piston reaches its highest point which is TDC.
3.Adjust Rocker Arms:
- Loosen Rockers: By using fingers loosen all rocker arm adjusting nuts until they can spin pushrods freely without sticking or binding.
- Cylinder 1 Intake and Exhaust: From here tighten down slowly on the adjusting nut of rocker arm in cylinder #1 until no play exists between rocker arm, push rod, and valve stem. At this point one cannot freely move push rod around simply by spinning it around in hand.
- Preload Setting: After eliminating any lash turn an additional half turn up to three quarters of a turn so as to have preload then set hydraulic lifter preload (Newman & Soestbergen). This slightly compresses hydraulic piston inside lifter, so as to allow for thermal expansion and contraction in the engine during operation.
- Repeat: You would do this for both intake and exhaust valves on cylinder 1.
4.Other Cylinders:
- Rotate the crankshaft to bring the next cylinder to TDC and repeat the process. Continue this for all cylinders.
5.Reinstall Valve Covers:
- After setting all other valves, remember to install valve covers, then tighten them by applying appropriate torque specification
6.Final Check:
- Reconnect Battery and start engines where you’ll listen carefully to any noises which might signify wrong valve adjustment. Let it run until normal operating temperature if everything sounds good. Finally let it cool down a little before performing final check on valve train (Woloszyn).
Final Thoughts:
Valve setting of Ford 351W with hydraulic rollers is not overly complex, but requires meticulousness; something that many people lack. Badly adjusted valves may result into poor performance, more wear or even damage to an engine. Always follow manufacturer guidelines and seek professional help whenever uncertain.
This comprehensive guide will therefore provide you with all steps as well as considerations required in accurately setting the valves of a Ford 351W featuring hydraulic roller lifters.
