Valve Clearance
2.7L & 3.0L flat-six · set cold, engine off, every 15,000 miles.
Let the engine cool fully
Clearances are set cold — at least 3 hours off, or first thing before startup. Checking warm reads tight and leads to burnt valves.
Pull the valve covers & rotate to TDC No. 1
Bar the engine over by the crank pulley until the TDC mark aligns with the case split. Confirm with the distributor rotor pointing at cylinder 1.
Check clearance with a feeler gauge
Intake and exhaust set to 0.004 in cold. The gauge should pass with light drag — a firm bind is too tight, a rattle is too loose.
Adjust the locknut & screw
Loosen the 13mm locknut, turn the adjuster to spec, then hold the adjuster while torquing the locknut so the setting does not walk.
Rotate 180° and repeat around the firing order
Work the 1-6-2-4-3-5 order, rotating the crank between each cylinder pair. Re-verify No. 1 at the end.
Reseal and reinstall the covers
Fresh gaskets, clean sealing surfaces, and even nut torque prevent the classic air-cooled valve-cover weep.
The AI service — chassis-specific diagnostics, torque specs, and procedures — is free for LUFT members.
