Land Rover Series IIA 2.25 petrol: check & adjust valve clearances
Engine · Series IIA (1961–71) · 1961–1971
How often: every 12,000 mi or year, whichever comes first. Tight valves burn out; loose valves are noisy and lose power.
Work safely: support the vehicle on axle stands, never a jack alone; let it cool first. Check figures against your workshop manual. You do this work at your own risk.
Parts
Rocker cover gasket
Tools
Feeler gauges
Ring spanner and screwdriver (or adjusting tool)
Socket to turn the engine
Step by step
Remove the rocker cover. Note whether your engine is set hot or cold (see below) and work accordingly.
Number the valves 1–8 from the front of the engine.
Use the 'rule of nine' on a 4-cylinder: with valve 8 fully open adjust valve 1, valve 7 open adjust 2, and so on (the two numbers always add up to 9). Clearance: 0.010 in (0.25 mm), hot or cold.
Slacken the locknut, turn the adjuster until the feeler gauge is a light drag, hold the adjuster and tighten the locknut, then re-check.
Refit the rocker cover with a new gasket. Run the engine and check for oil leaks.
More Land Rover Series IIA 2.25 petrol servicing
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