Setting diesel engine valves using the rocker method is possible on any inline diesel engine which are built the same in many ways. The pistons are matched in pairs to the crankshaft throw…so two pistons reach top-dead center together.
Since one will be on the exhaust stroke the other cylinder will be on the compression stroke and the valves can be adjusted accordingly.
I was having some fun with article-to-video software today explaining how to adjust valves using the rocker method … the video is done in text format only. There’s some funky music to go along with it. so I hope you get a kick out of it!
This type of procedure is handy if you’re in a pinch. Just recently I had to adjust the valves on an Inline-4 Isuzu Diesel Engine and used the rocker method once I had the valve lash specs.
Whelan is a regular STN contributor and has worked as a school bus and truck mechanic for the past 34 years. He is currently shop foreman for the School District No. 73 transportation department in Kamloops, British Columbia. Read more about Whelan’s shop experiences at his personal blog site.
