FI valve ajustment

[redcars]

When ajusting the intake vales on a FI engine do you remove the intake manifold or take the intake plenum top off? If the plenum where do you get the gasket?

[azruss]

you remove the cam covers. the only thing that needs to be removed after that is what it takes to get to the cam covers. will require moving the big rubber hose between the AFM and the intake. May be a couple of others that may need moving.

[narfire]

The rubber intake comes off. You can remove the cam cover on the intake side by just loosening the 10 mm bolts holding the top of the plenum down. I'm not too concerned about the gasket between the two halfs unless it sticks and tears, then a new one in required.(any of the vendors) Be carful when tightening the bolts back up. The threds are steel and can strip the aluminium if you put too much torque on them going into the aluminium.
Chris

[thefiatek]

You really need to pull the plenum and replace the gasket. The cover is a P.I.T.A to remove with it on. Are they making noise?

[redcars]

My 81 is a little noisy and my 82 seams OK, but I have no idea how they have been taken care of before I got them. I also don't know how they sould sond when ajusted correctly. This will be something for next weekend.

[thefiatek]

If they're adjusted right they should be nearly silent. A little tappet noise doesn't hurt anything. Adjust them stone cold and give it a full rotation of the lobe then re-check. I alway shoot for .017 intake and .019 exhaust so there is little to no noise from them.

[SouthwestSpider]

I've gotten the plenum gasket from International Auto Parts (IAP). The part number was 419406 for my 1980 Spider. If it isn't listed on IAP's website you can contact their Parts email and/or phone and they'll provide the information. I'm certain that AutoRicambi has the part as well.
I've just recently (Saturday 09/29/12) finished a valve adjustment on my 80 Spider and I would suggest that removing the plenum is the best way to do the intake side.

[bradartigue]

You really need to pull the plenum and replace the gasket. The cover is a P.I.T.A to remove with it on. Are they making noise?

It is also a great time to clean the hell out of the inside of the plenum and spray some FI cleaner into the runners.

[seabeelt]

Dont forget the important part, the shims

[BEEK]

You really need to pull the plenum and replace the gasket. The cover is a P.I.T.A to remove with it on. Are they making noise?

It is also a great time to clean the hell out of the inside of the plenum and spray some FI cleaner into the runners.

It is not necessary to remove the plenum, remove the distributor cap and the intake cover will come out, you just have to twist it around. it will come out the exhaust side if the dist cap is removed. did that for 20 years and never removed a plenum

[narfire]

I can remove the cam tower covers without removing the plenum (I do loosen the bolts though) as well..BUT.. if you have a gasket coming and you know it has not been done recently,or a while ago for that matter, Brads idea of giving the inside a good look and clean is a good one. Just plug the intake runners with a clean cloth or clean shop towel as if you are thinking about it, something will fall down one.
Chris

[SouthwestSpider]

I have some shims I'd be glad to send to you if you need them. Just the price of postage.