Valve Lash Adjustment

After a very poor compression test when I purchased the car, I decided to teach myself how to adjust the valve lash.  Adjusting the valves consists of removing the valve cover, using a feeler gauge to check the clearance between the cam lobe / rocker and then adjusting the gap.  It appeared that all of the valves were somewhat open, thus the low results of the initial compression test.

This initial valve lash adjustment was done on a cold engine, I will need to perform it again once the engine is warm.

Compression on a new L24 engine back in 1972 was 185 lb/sq-in.  I typically perform a dry compression test on a warm engine, all plugs out, with the choke open and the throttle open.   Following the adjustment I'm pretty happy with the results considering its 40 years old!

Interested in what a compression test is?  Check out:  http://autos.yahoo.com/maintain/repairqa/engine/ques056_1.html