FORD 4000 Valve Adjustment

number two · Feb 13, 2008

Greetings-A friends neighbor dropped off his !966 Ford 4000 diesel for a general service job,which I can do this winter in my spare(?) time. I owe my friend big time,so I'll make the time for it. The usual-oil change,coolant exchange,grease,fuel filters,new tie rod end,new lower radiator hose heater,etc. The unit has about 3200 hours. Going through the owners manual,it calls for a valve adjustment every 600 hours. No one can remember this ever being done. I notice the procedure given has the rockers adjusted with the engine warmed up and running. Can't say as I've ever run into this before,and am not sure it has to be done this way.
Can anyone comment on this-do it running or stationary? Also,the loader is still on it,and it looks like a pain to remove. Will I have room to get the required services performed?
Thank you in advance for your responses.

Soundguy · Feb 14, 2008

Reccomend you check with your friend to see if he either has the I&T F service manual.. or the ford shop service manual... either should work for cook-book valve job info.

the loader might make this a pain..

I&T F0-31 after market service manual
Ford New Holland 2000, 3000, 4000 models prior to 1975 repair manual by Clymer

Or the shop manual by ford:
Ford Tractor Service Manual - Series 2000-7000 1965-1975

soundguy

Bob_Young · Feb 14, 2008

Dunno about the 4000, never adjusted mine. Maybe I should.

Used to adjust valve lash on old Chevy stovebolt sixes while they were warmed up and running. The ones from the early 50s had solid lifters.

Wasn't hard; was kinda messy. You set them to have some resistance to moving the feeler gauge while on the loose or low part of the cam lobe. Of course it would tighten up considerably when the cam opened the valve, so there was little chance for confusion.

In order to get the feeler gauge between the valve stem and the rocker arm to begin with, the clearance had to be extra loose. I always tried to err in the direction of too much clearance as opposed to too little. Not sure if diesels are the same.
FWIW
Bob

JC-jetro · Feb 14, 2008

number two said:
Greetings-A friends neighbor dropped off his !966 Ford 4000 diesel for a general service job,which I can do this winter in my spare(?) time. I owe my friend big time,so I'll make the time for it. The usual-oil change,coolant exchange,grease,fuel filters,new tie rod end,new lower radiator hose heater,etc. The unit has about 3200 hours. Going through the owners manual,it calls for a valve adjustment every 600 hours. No one can remember this ever being done. I notice the procedure given has the rockers adjusted with the engine warmed up and running. Can't say as I've ever run into this before,and am not sure it has to be done this way.
Can anyone comment on this-do it running or stationary? Also,the loader is still on it,and it looks like a pain to remove. Will I have room to get the required services performed?
Thank you in advance for your responses.

I had the same issue with my 1700. I have a link below with bunch of good info that guys shared. bottom line, doing hot can be done but quite messy. Doing it cold much easier and clean. There were recommendation on types of tools to use to do it with the engine running. I ended up bringing each piston TDC with the cold engine, measured the gap with feeler gage and the measurement was up to par with the specs and that's where I stopped. I did not want to dork it up as the engine sounded fine and no lifter noise was evident even when I used my automotive stethoscope to take a listen

JC,

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/nh-owning-operating/92208-valve-lash-adjustment-my-f.html

number two · Feb 14, 2008

Gentlemen-thank you for your replys. Per your suggestions,I called the guy and he brought me over the I&T manual. Why didn't he bring it first time? Anyhow,it gives a stationary procedure,#1TDC-adjust 3 valves,turn 360-adjust the other 3. I just knew there was a way.Although if it looks too tough with the loader on,I'll have him bring it back someday with it off.
JC-jetro,very interesting thread about valve adjustment. Reminds me of rebuilding small block Chevy engines-always had good luck with the static adjustment on the engine stand-those rockers squirting oil all over the engine compartment. And those clips flying off-AH!
Geez,TBN is not only a great place for information,it also provides great memories. Thank again guys.