Pinky

pgss2k

I sure hope the OP doesn't feel like he stepped in shi*
Gather everything you need, let the car cool overnight then do it yourself, even if it takes all day you can have the satisfaction of having done it, checked it, re checked it and knowing you can do it next time. Find someone in your area that has some wrenching experience and offer some of that universal currency, beer!

ScottyBallistic

Sorry I am not on the board everyday . Best to always call 603-856-8833 . But I can set something up if you like for Saturday the 27th if that works

Car Analogy

I'd be even more worried about doing this. It would be all too easy to lose one of the extensions down the spark plug hole. You'd really be up the creek then.

Its just not a good idea to stick anything down your plug hole if there is any way to avoid it.

Again, note my method does not involve finding tdc at all, nor following any timing marks. You replicate what those marks do for you, make sure that cylinders valves are fully closed, by just observing the cam lobes orientation. Lobes up = valve closed = valve in position to adjust. There is no precise lining things up at all.

You just use a socket to turn the motor while watching the cam lobes. When they both are pointing up-ish, you're good. Much faster, much less likely to mess up, just as accurate.

Do what works for you. Listen to the suggestions, and the criticisms, carefully, and decide for yourself what to do. My suggestion (and my criticisms of others suggestions) is only meant to be a public service to help othrrs make up their own minds.

I'm open to criticism of my suggestions (though thus far there haven't actually been any criticisms of the method I suggested.)

AZfury

Use a chopstick! It's plastic! Won't marr your pistons!

Car Analogy

That does sound safe. Should be long enough that its impossible to drop it into the cylinder (its much longer than the piston stroke). The wood ones would work too.

But again, with my valve adjust method there is no need to care about tdc (though there are other reasons in life you need to find tdc, and this idea should work great for that.)

I'm going to keep this idea in my arsenal from now on.