Adjusting valve clearance

[78fiatman]

Hey I know I need to adjust the valve clearance on my 78 spider because I can hear the ticking sound. I'm just not sure the easiest way to do it, or should I take it to a mechanic? Also how long can I drive it like this?
Thanks, nathan

[narfire]

It's not really difficult to do. Bit fiddly and time consuming the first few times though.
Perhaps have the mechanic do it the first time with you watching? Having the "hold-down-tool" is important as is a decent collection of shims. I found the old Volvo shims are the same diameter and work just fine.

[vandor]

The first step is to measure the clearances. Do this when the car has sat for a while, so most of the oil has drained down from the cam tower. Take the cam covers off and put the car in 4th gear. Rock it forward until 2 camlobes (one intake and one exhaust) are pointing straight away from the shim. Measure the clearances and write them down. Then rock the car forward until other 2 lobes are perpendicular, measure, write, etc, until you have all 8 written down.
Intake should be 0.017" +-0.001", exhaust should be 0.019+-0.001"
Likely you can get away with +-0.002" from those figures. I general too tight is worse than too loose.

[78fiatman]

Ok thanks! Looks like I have some time consuming work in front of me!

[bradartigue]

Read a shop manual on the subject. It's a fairly quick job to measure them, an hour or so of your day. Replacing them is another hour or so. Like most things once you get the hang of it the time to complete is lower.

For replacement you need to have the correct tools, the FIAT valve tool (ask a vendor or borrow one), a small pick to dislodge the shim (or compressed air works) and a magnetic tool.

[vandor]

Replacing them is another hour or so ...

Well, yes, if you have shims handy. But what most people do is remove the shims that are not correct, measure them, and put them back. Then order the correct sized shims from a vendor, and when they get there replace them.

[76was124]

A few more threads to read in: http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=28290

[78fiatman]

Awesome thanks for all the help! Hopefully I get it adjusted in the next few days!