valve clearence

when checking the valve clearence does the pistons have to be at top dead centre ??????????/i

 

NO.

The valve being checked needs to have its cam lobe pointed straight up, at 90 degrees to the face of the shim.

Have a look: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=14827.html
Part Deux: http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=29209.html

 

i have a manual and was going by it . it said ti set the t on the timing and that would leave the piston top dead centre on cylinder 1 and then check the valve clearence , wats the difference

 

The manual doesn't (or shouldn't) say to use the "T" mark for valve adjustment; do it the way I show in the article.

The difference is that you need to check the clearance when the cam is pointed squarely away from the valve; and that won't be at TDC.

 

i bought a genuine xj700 manual as im no expert . and was setting the valves today and thats wat it said but it didnt seen right . i will do iy ur way , thanks for the pics

 

You need to read the manual more carefully. It's not "my way" it's how it's done.

The "T" mark is for TDC. It was probably explaining about setting camshaft timing, not valve adjustment.

Go to the front of the manual, to the "maintenance" section. "Valve Clearance Adjustment" is generally the first item.

In there you will find this statement, or something quite similar:

"The proper position of the cam when measuring valve clearance is with the cam lobe directly opposite the valve lifter."

What they're trying to say is what I explained to you.

 

Bigfitz meant to say that the lobe must be be pointed straight up,at 180 degrees to the face of the shim.

 

No I didn't because it's not.

It is 90 degrees to the face of the shim; it's 180 degrees from the valve itself. (Same centerline, pointed the other way = 180.)

Which is why I said "squarely away."