With a friend graciously providing garage space, I embarked on the process of measuring/adjusting the FJ's valves. The process is straightforward enough, but my Clymer manual is confusing the hell out of me. It seems that the Clymer was written for an earlier model FJ and wasn't updated. For example:
When removing the ignition pickup coil cover, the manual says I should see this
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/somemook/FJ1200/44caf6ff-26dc-4984-b84d-fe6c37b504fa_zpsa002b070.jpg) (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/somemook/media/FJ1200/44caf6ff-26dc-4984-b84d-fe6c37b504fa_zpsa002b070.jpg.html)
But I see this
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/somemook/FJ1200/IMG_0150_zps7acd1705.jpg) (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/somemook/media/FJ1200/IMG_0150_zps7acd1705.jpg.html)
The manual also states that the cam lobes should point away from the shim when at TDC.
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/somemook/FJ1200/IMG_0154_zps6ca2baf5.jpg) (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/somemook/media/FJ1200/IMG_0154_zps6ca2baf5.jpg.html)
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/somemook/FJ1200/IMG_0156_zpse1d51b70.jpg) (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/somemook/media/FJ1200/IMG_0156_zpse1d51b70.jpg.html)
As I rotate the crankshaft, when the T lines up with the pickup sensor, I find the cam lobes perpendicular to the valve, with the exhaust cam lobe pointing to the front of the bike
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/somemook/FJ1200/IMG_0153_zpsdfb64f93.jpg) (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/somemook/media/FJ1200/IMG_0153_zpsdfb64f93.jpg.html)
and the intake cam lobe pointing rearward.
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t298/somemook/FJ1200/IMG_0152_zps0758ddee.jpg) (http://s163.photobucket.com/user/somemook/media/FJ1200/IMG_0152_zps0758ddee.jpg.html)
I'm sure that the piston is at top dead center because I see it at the top of the cylinder through the spark plug hole.
I know I'm supposed to measure the clearance at TDC, I don't want to rotate the cams so that they are pointing away form the valves. Am I right in my thinking?
I just rotate the cams till they look like they are pointing directly away from the valve. Off a few degrees is not likely to affect your measurement. I could be wrong but it works for me.
Quote from: FJmonkey on August 03, 2013, 11:00:05 AM
I just rotate the cams till they look like they are pointing directly away from the valve. Off a few degrees is not likely to affect your measurement. I could be wrong but it works for me.
+1 on what FJMonkey posted. This is how I was taught.
Kurt
Mook everything looks perfect, that's the way I would check it and adjust them, when I can get the shims in and out in that position.
Sometimes you have to move the cam away to get more access to the shim.
And if you are using the tool you will have to move the cams anyways.
The other guys are right too, anywhere on the bottom of the cam lobe should give a pretty accurate measurement, I just do it at top dead center so I can check and adjust both intake and exhaust at the same time.
The picture in the book is just showing you to line up the T line (TDC) to the pickup, Just like you have yours in the picture.
The older ones have similar marks....................Minus the F for the firing range
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/1/486_17_02_11_3_56_44.jpeg)
Thanks for the replies guys! I'm alot more confident now! Time to dive in! :good2: