SPADED707

Ok so I've readjusted my valves at least 6 times to specification and everytime I put everything back together and start it up the valves are considerably noisier than prior to the initial adjustment. The most recent adjustment, however, I now not only have noisier valves but I've lost fuel economy, idle drops when warmed up to about 600RPMs, and my power (acceleration) is ****! Here's how I've done each adjustment:

-over night engine cooling
-battery disconnect
-disconnected coil wires/alternator connection/removed coil packs and spark
plugs
-disconnected fuel injector wires
-removed valve cover screws/valve cover
-removed passenger-side wheel (enabling access to crankshaft manual rotation
bolt)
-placed engine at TDC
-adjusted intake valves on #1 to .007/exhaust to .009
-did the same for remaining valves according to firing order 1,3,4,2 (rotating
crankshaft one full 180* turn each time one set of valves (2 intake/2 exhaust)
had been adjusted)
-reversed order of removal for reassembly
-performed idle learn process

Is it possible that my valves are too loose at specs because the valves are worn down from having so many miles on them? I'm at 172K right now and when I initially went to adjust my valves there was hardly any clearance at all! Should I try to adjust them a few .00_ under specs?
Please help! This is my only ride at the moment! Help needed ASAP! Thanks fellas!

darkstarchuck

Mine also got worse after the adjustment. I'm considering tightening up the clearances as well.

Come on, isn't there someone out there with some good input?

gearbox

iTrader: (95)

this is one of those mods i really hate, because there can be so much variation. those specs for valve clearance are on a new engine. so basically they do not apply at all unless you do a full rebuild with new parts. on used engines, its more of a trial and error process to see what works best. this can become a problem because there are issues if you get them too tight (burnt valve) or too loose (no power and loud engine). try to tighten the clearance just a bit next time, otherwise the procedure looks fine to me. just the clearances need adjustment.