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Joe K · 03-15-2026, 06:23 PM

The problem is you may have original "non-adjustable" lifters. If that is the case you need to "tear down the engine" and one by one measure and adjust each individual valve. KRW made a nifty "gauge/grinder" for doing this - and getting the adjustment right the first time. Quite ingenious their system. But few and far between either in those who have the tooling - or those who use it.

MOST engines once they have been rebuilt probably have "adjustable" lifters. Yours is most likely to be of this ilk. One of the modern "improvements" over the KRW system which allowed ANYONE with a single or pair of open end wrenches - and a feeler gauge now able to set their own valves. It put valve adjustments into truly "shade-tree mechanics" level.

There are two basic types of adjustable valves. The first and original version involved a lock-nut system where the two adjustment nuts "worked against" each other to "lock" the adjustment in place.

The downside of this system is that the mere act of adjusting tends to "upset" the adjustment as any "free-play" is found in restraining the system and happens as this free play gets taken up. You adjust for the proper clearance, and by the time you've put the lock nut in place and torqued it to value - you've changed the clearance. Very tricky and intricate to use.

The second and only slightly later system involves a single lock-nut - but the nut is designed to be "self-locking" - and can only be moved under the influence of the wrench. Think "Nylalock" nuts which are similar.

When it came to me to make a choice between these two, the rebuilder (Richard Knight) recommended I go with the nylalock system as "easier" and probably (overall) more reliable. Which is where I went and where I remain to this day.

Richard may dial in here and confirm my decision and offer any "since then" improvements to that recommendation. Everything has a tendency to be "Improved upon" given time.

Joe K

03-15-2026, 06:23 PM	#5
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 5,014	Re: Valve adjustment The problem is you may have original "non-adjustable" lifters. If that is the case you need to "tear down the engine" and one by one measure and adjust each individual valve. KRW made a nifty "gauge/grinder" for doing this - and getting the adjustment right the first time. Quite ingenious their system. But few and far between either in those who have the tooling - or those who use it. MOST engines once they have been rebuilt probably have "adjustable" lifters. Yours is most likely to be of this ilk. One of the modern "improvements" over the KRW system which allowed ANYONE with a single or pair of open end wrenches - and a feeler gauge now able to set their own valves. It put valve adjustments into truly "shade-tree mechanics" level. There are two basic types of adjustable valves. The first and original version involved a lock-nut system where the two adjustment nuts "worked against" each other to "lock" the adjustment in place. The downside of this system is that the mere act of adjusting tends to "upset" the adjustment as any "free-play" is found in restraining the system and happens as this free play gets taken up. You adjust for the proper clearance, and by the time you've put the lock nut in place and torqued it to value - you've changed the clearance. Very tricky and intricate to use. The second and only slightly later system involves a single lock-nut - but the nut is designed to be "self-locking" - and can only be moved under the influence of the wrench. Think "Nylalock" nuts which are similar. When it came to me to make a choice between these two, the rebuilder (Richard Knight) recommended I go with the nylalock system as "easier" and probably (overall) more reliable. Which is where I went and where I remain to this day. Richard may dial in here and confirm my decision and offer any "since then" improvements to that recommendation. Everything has a tendency to be "Improved upon" given time. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse. Last edited by Joe K; 03-15-2026 at 06:34 PM.