DIY- Setting Valve Lash for Honda SOHC Motors

[TomO]

Honda recommends setting your valve lash every 15,000 miles. Setting the valve lash is not something that is hard to do, in fact, once you get used to the procedure you can start setting your friends' valve lash and make a little money.

Tools Needed:

• 1/2" & 3/8" Ratchet
• 6" 1/2" Drive extension
• 10mm Socket 3/8" Drive
• 17mm Socket 1/2" Drive
• Torque Wrench
• Feeler Gauges
• 10mm box/combo wrench
• Straight blade screwdriver or 10mm Jam nut tool/Valve lash tool
  
  (Best tool for making the job easier)

I've taken the liberty to make the Helms procedure available HERE in pdf format. That PDF has all the specs and the procedure.

I hope this helps anyone out that is ready to try this procedure on their own.

Feel free to ask questions and comment on this as well.

[Nden]

where did u get that funny lookin tool and how much was it?

[TomO]

I think I ordered it from Parts Plus. A quick search on goolge should provide some other sources as well.

[Nden]

ya i dont my own valve-lash 2 or 3 times it is pretty easy once u get the #1 cylinder to TDC. i did it the harder way with socket/flat-head and feeler-gauges . what's fair price to charge somebody for this? $40

[TomO]

I usually charge a Pizza and Case of beer, so yeah, about $40...Stealership charges about $125 in my area.

[ttoyoda]

Just an FYI, sometimes the end of the valve stem or the adjuster wear away in such a way that one side is a dimple and the other side is a tit. In that case, the feeler gauge will bridge over the dimple, and you will be setting the valves to a bigger clearance than you intended.

The giveaway for this problem is that you hear a different loudness of tick from some valves when the engine idles (with the rocker arm or valve cover off). While you will get sprayed with oil when you run the engine this way, it only take a few minutes to check it out.

The hard way to fix this is to buy new parts. The less hard way to fix this is to get an inexpensive dial gauge and use it to measure the travel of the rocker arm right above the valve stem. The ones I got were less than $10 for a 1" travel, made in china, from travers.com. There may be less expensive places so shop around.

[Nden]

sounds fair. hmm dimples & titties (he he he). I saw it on ebay or someplace when I did a google/shopping search for $12.99. Dang looks like my 5wire o2 is throwing a CEL .

[chrislk1986]

Yup, good way to save a few bucks and make some on the side. Thats also a good time to check the timing belt for wear.

Good heads up ttoyoda.