Printable diagram for adjusting valve tappets

[alexiskai]

I've created a printable PDF with a diagram to assist with precise adjustment of valve clearances. This diagram is based on one created by FordBarn user Bob Johnson and shown in his video on valve adjusting.

As described on fordgarage.com, the tappet bolt spec is 24 threads per inch. This means that if you were to rotate the bolt 360° 24 times, it would change the clearance by 1".

24*360 = 8640° per 1-inch change.
Therefore to change the clearance .001", or 1/1000 inches, you need to rotate the bolt 8640/1000 = 8.64°.

The attached diagram shows lines marked on an arc in successive increments of 8.64°, each representing .001" difference in clearance from the next line.

To adjust valve tappets using this diagram, you'll need to print it out and attach it to something rigid, like cardstock or cardboard. Cut a hole to center the diagram on the tappet. Measure your clearances as described on fordgarage.com above, and then, with the diagram in place, hold the tappet with one wrench while moving the adjusting wrench through the appropriate number of lines to get the clearance you want. See Bob's video for a demonstration.

The PDF image is quite large in order to maximize the accuracy of the angles. You'll probably need to experiment with scaling it down to 80% or 60% to make it usable with your particular wrenches.