Guy's, I have an 81 Toyota 4x4 with a 22R. What should I expect the cost of a valve adjustment would be?

 

go to autoparts store get a manual and a set of feeler gauges and do it yourself. VERY easy. on a 1 to 5 it is a negative 1. gives you a good feel about what goes on in your head.

 

Do I need to replace the valve cover gaskets when putting it back together?

 

if the old gaskets are hard and no longer rubbery, then replace

 

It does take a bit to get the "feel" down...you need to do your best to pull the gauge at just the right angle, or it will feel like there's resistance when there really isn't. The job itself is really easy, but it's a little tricky at first to slide the gauge out at the correct angle.

Call a couple shops to get an estimate if you really want to know, though. Should be a cheap fix, but it is easy to do your self. Don't over tighten the valve cover when you put it back on...you'll hear the valves tapping it if you do, and you'll think you messed up the valve clearances really bad

 

Thanks very much guy's! Yotatech always comes through!

 

I just bought a "swiss army style" feeler gauge set to do this when I change my dist. drive gear! very cheap, like 4 bucks and has 32 diff. sizes! what is the tq spec on the valve cover gasket? my haynes does not say, or I did not see it? it seems you have to tighten it down pretty good though or the grommets do not seat!?!?

 

Tighten them down to just when the rubber grommets start to squish but not bulge out. Any tighter the rockers will hit the valve cover. Getting new grommets is definitely a good idea. A good valve cover gasket kit will come with the gasket, half moons and grommets.

 

you can down load a genuine toyota factory service manual here:

 

It costs a 12pk of Heineken here...

 

Just do the adjustment it's not all that difficult. As stated just watch the angle at which you use the feeler gauge and you'll be fine. Or a few Magic Hat #9 will get it done for ya.

 

what do you folks mean by angle of the feeler gauge? will it not go straight in? will the swiss army style work? the feelers are about 3in or so long

 

I also read you can do them cold set to .007 and .011 is this true?

 

Yes you can cold set but it's better to do warm.

As for the angle...you cannot go straight in with the gauge you need to follow the angle of the valve to get an accurate feel. The angle of the dangle makes all the difference.

 

I agree that it is not too difficult to do, but takes a few tries to get the feel of it. The last time I paid a mechanic to do it, it was about $75. At the time, I was getting quotes anywhere from $75 to $150. That was a few years ago, so rates have probably went up since. You do not have to change the valve cover gasket if it is in good shape, but put a small amount of RTV on the edges of the half moons.

 

yes any style feeler will work, the angled ones are easier but I have found that it's harder to find the right size in them. What I do when I do mine, ( I have the straight ones too) is take the two I need off of the set and use them singly.

 

thats how I will do it then, sounds easier singly

 

Remember when you tighten the nut on the adjusting screw it will change the gap. Be sure to hold the adjuster really well when tightening the lock nut.

 

You'll see when you get your valve cover off the "angle" we're talking about. They aren't level with...well, level. They slant down towards the sides of the truck, so you've got to follow that angle carefully, or you'll feel a lot of resistance where there really isn't any. Just pull the valve cover and it should make sense, it only takes a couple minutes to pull it and put it back on if you just want to take a look.

Like people mentioned the half moon gaskets are important. My engine is rebuilt, all fresh gaskets, but I noticed a bunch of oil leaking all the way down to the top of my tranny, because I hadn't put any rtv on that rear half moon gasket.