'84 Civic 1.3L Valve clearnace adjustment.

Hello Group.

I've recently purchased an '84 civic w/ 12valve 1.3L engine. I'm hearing a
noise in the top end of the engine which sounds to me like the rocker arms
banging on the valves, due to too much clearance. I popped the valve cover off
to inspect, and found all sorts of black carbonish buildup.

I'm wondering what kind of problems I might have if I go ahead and adjust the
clearances and end up knocking a bunch of the crud loose. I though about
perhaps using compressed air and a plastic bristle brush to blow it all out of
there... Your thoughts?

Oh, and I'm pretty sure that this has NEVER been done on this engine, and is
probably in dire need of being done

Thanks!

 

One of the absolute worst things that can happen is that you knock enough
large chucks off that they plug up your oil pump intake screen. This can
reduce your oil pressure such that crankshaft bearing damage becomes
imminent.

On cars of this vintage that have been neglected with respect to regular oil
changes (which it sounds like yours may be a candidate), it's not uncommon
to find a worn camshaft and rockers. You may want to carefully inspect the
toe end of each of the lobes on the camshaft. If you find any grooves worn
into the lobes, then you'll need a new camshaft and rockers.

Eric

 

Hi Eric, thanks for your reply. I actually already had to take the oil pan off
and clean the sludge out of the intake screen. It was totally caked on. The
oil should have been going thru a screen with a surface about three inches in
diameter. Instead it went thru a whole the size of my thumb! :-/

I'm feeling pretty ambitious about this whole project -- this is the first time
I've ever actually worked on a car, but I'm really good at figureing out how
things work etc. I've also got the haynes book and thats a big help. I think I
could replace the camshaft and rockers if need-be. I'm just wondering what that
might set me back in terms of $. If it's not much money for the rockers and
camshaft, I'll do it.. But if its going to cost say, $200 total, I won't.. It's
not worth it.

 

For starters, you can check the prices of OE parts at
http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com.

Aftermarket parts might be less expensive.

Eric

 

imo, if you have a cam worn enough to need replacing, the chances of the
rest of the engine being on the way out are /very/ high. i'd just clean
this up as much as you can _WITHOUT SOLVENTS_ and see how it goes. then
change the oil again after 100 miles. then change the oil again after
500 miles. if it's running ok after this, there's no need for the cam.
if it's not, /then/ you can reexamine cam economics after you've
determined whether or not the cylinder compression, oil pressure is ok, etc.