Valve adjustment questions

[macawlover70]

Hello all. Well, I had to take my head in 'cause it started leaking oil then I broke a cam bolt off. The machinist said ALL my valves were leaking and is doing a valve job as we speak. He is also welding a pin hole in the water jacket. Couple of questions. Check my valve clearance hot or cold? And, any words of wisdom on what not to do when shimming the valves? Als o if anyone has it what is the valve clearances exhaust/intak e?

[beachboy]

First essential question. Where is your fiat spider shop manual? If you own this car, you need at least one and preferably two different manuals. Its crazy to not have one.

[ventura ace]

I ditto the importance of a manual, and heartily recommend the use of the 'Search' feature on this forum for researching information also. Hey, you could use the 'Search' feature to find recommendations for a manual!!

The valves should be measured when cold after the engine has cooled down all day or night. Intake: .017-.018, Exhause: .019-.020.

Alvon

[narfire]

Hi Robert. I thought shimming was going to be difficult... nope piece of p..s.
I actually used the IAP cataloge. On page 22 of cat. #45, there is a highlighted section on setting up a table to help with the shim size. I did buy the specialized shim tool that made things easier. Just take your time and I think it was exhaust side #4 can be a bit fiddly because of the distibutor location but the tool does slide in with a bit of work.
I used Intake .016-.019 and ex .017 - .020 cold engine
Getting a manual is a must,several for sale on E-Bay and I see them pop up on Craigs list as well.
Good luck

[macawlover70]

thanks guys, I have one, just lazy. But puter is going bye bye so I wont have this resource anymore. Till I come back I want to thank you all very much for all your help these past months. I have learned so much about my car from you guys. Take care till next time. Robert