Adjusted Valves today; 5 hours

[Wiredawg]

Well, this was one of the longest valve adjust jobs I've ever done. Interesting sidebar: I bought a Cummins 12-V tuneup kit a few years ago for about $40 that has a barring tool, feeler gauge, about 10 sockets, a flex head ratchet, an 8" extension, a 3/8" to 1/2" adaptor and a screw driver.

First, the barring point for this engine is on the left front of the bell housing, so I tried turning the engine with the alternator pulley. Didn't work. I didn't have enough clearance to turn the harmonic ballancer either. So, I dug out about eight 1/2" socket extensiions, a 1/2" swivel and used the barring tool in the bell housing to turn the engine. I routed the extensions up past the turbo and right up to the top of the intercooler. So, I solved turning the engine where I could reach the TDC pin, which is a little tedious to hold while turning the engine.

I had a little repair project pop up as I was trying to get the timing pin in: I popped of the little retainer holding the timing pin in and pulled the timing pin out of the socket. I pushed the timing pin back into the socket, straightened the bent retainer ring and used a socket to reinstall it back on.

It took me three hours to get the timing pin in the hole. I turn that danged thing by hand about 12 times. The last time, I was turing only a click at a time when I got it in the hole. There is a very tight clearance on that pin!

Well, the rest was cake.

Anyone else have this much fun adjusting their valves?

Wiredawg