farmall valve ajustment

dan mcdonal · Jan 22, 2011

I have owed a farmall H for about 20 years. Use it mostly to cut grass and move trailers. I probably put about 25 hours a year on it. All I ever had to do was miner tune up and break seals. It runs and sounds good starts all the time including below zero. I was wondering should I adjust the valves or just leave it be as it runs good. The reason for asking is don't know the last time it was done. If I leave it will it hurt anything down the road?
thanks dan

Nebraska Cowman · Jan 22, 2011

I never have known of anybody checking them. Myself, I would not worry about it. On the other hand it's no big job to pull the valve cover and have a look.

Janicholson · Jan 22, 2011

I would adjust them. Valves trains wear at 7 spots: cam to lifter, lifter to pushrod, pushrod to rocker, Rocker shaft to rocker Rocker, rocker tip to valve butt, and wear in the valve seat face where it seals in the head.
The face to seat wears in a way that tightens the clearance, all others make it looser.
.020" on all rockers. (see setting H valves in the archives for specific instructions from me and others. There are fewer correct ways to do it than wrong ways. Jim

Bill Lisbon · Jan 22, 2011

As my old pappy would say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

LarryT · Jan 22, 2011

If I hear them or have some other indication of trouble then I will run the valves. But otherwise I leave it alone and am in agreement with Bill. If it ain't broke, Don't fix it. You will know if you have a problem. I have also seen Tinkering cause problems on a perfectly goo machine. LarryT

Janicholson · Jan 22, 2011

For those who do not adjust valves until they make noise.
The noise of a burnt valve comes after it is burnt!
The noise of a clacking valve lash is tollerated long enough to wear the components to the point of replacement.
Good adjustment technique is not difficult. and the cost is time and a gasket. Jim

rustred · Jan 22, 2011

totally agree with you jim. adjust now and save a headack later.

rustred · Jan 22, 2011

well if you hear them yes, but how do you hear them when the clearance is too tight? ooh ya thats when the valve is burnt and you hear the chuu chuu out the exhast pipe, or the backfiring in the carb then you have a problem.well the guy doing the tinkering must be a green horn. this kinda separates the mechanics from the wanna be's.

El Toro · Jan 23, 2011

For no longer than it takes I would adjust them and it doesn't take that long. Bring No1 piston to TDC on the compression stroke and adjust the valves counting from the radiator Nos
1-2-3 & 5. Then rotate the engine one full turn and then adjust Nos 4-6-7 & 8. Set the valves at .020" cold. Hal

farmall valve ajustment

dan mcdonal

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Nebraska Cowman

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Janicholson

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Bill Lisbon

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LarryT

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Janicholson

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rustred

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rustred

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El Toro

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