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Section 12.2
Valve Lash, Injector Height (Timing) and Jake Brake ® Lash
Adjustments

Accurate adjustment of clearance between valve buttons, intake and exhaust valves is
important if maximum performance and economy are to be obtained.

Likewise, injector height should be properly maintained.

Intake valve clearance and injector height are adjusted by means of an adjusting set
screw and locknut located at the valve (or injector) end of the rocker arm; see Figure
"Valve and Fuel Injector Rocker Arm Assembly Components" .

Note: On engines equipped with a Jake Brake, measure valve lash and injector height
before removing any brake housings. Only remove the brake housings necessary to
provide access for adjustment.

 1. Exhaust Valve  6. Intake Valve

 2. Intake Valve  7. Fuel Injector Follower

 3. Locknut  8. Valve Button

 4. Adjusting Set Screw  9. Exhaust Valve

 5. Exhaust Rocker Arm Assembly

Figure 1. Valve and Fuel Injector Rocker Arm Assembly Components

NOTICE:
Ensure the height gage seats on the machined surface with the tip in the pilot hole.
Foreign material in the pilot hole or on the machined surface may prevent accurate
setting of the injector height.

The fuel injector height is adjusted using the injector height gage, as listed in Table
"Valve Clearance and Injector Height Settings" . On engines equipped with a Jake
Brake®, move the handle on the injector height gage to the alternate position, 90° to the
shank. A height gage pilot hole is provided in the injector body on the machined surface
contacted by the injector clamp near the solenoid. See Figure "Timing Gage" .

Component Setting Dimensions Tolerance

Fuel Injector Height: DDEC II Models 78.2 mm (3.078 in.) 77.95-78.45 mm

6047 GUXX Use tool J 35637-A (3.068-3.088 in.)

Fuel Injector Height: DDEC III Models 78.8 mm (3.103 in.) 77.55-79.05 mm
6047 GKXX Use tool J 39697 (3.053-3.112 in.)

Fuel Injector Height: DDEC IV Model: 80.3 mm (3.161 in.) 80.05-80.55 mm

6047TKXX Use tool J 42665 (3.151-3.171 in.)

Fuel Injector Height: DDEC IV Model: 81.0 mm (3.190 in.)

6047MKXX

Intake Valve Clearance 0.203 mm (0.008 in.) 0.127-0.280 mm

(0.005-0.011 in.)

Intake Valve Clearance Natural Gas 0.279 mm (0.011 in.) 0.203-0.356 mm

Models 604XGKGX (0.008-0.014 in.)

Intake Valve Clearance Model 0.253 -0.281 mm

0.267 mm (0.010 in.)
604XMKGX (0.009.-0.011 in.)

Exhaust Valve Clearance*-"U" Valves 0.508 mm (0.020 in.) 0.432-0.584 mm

Models 604XGUXX (0.017-0.023 in.)

Exhaust Valve Clearance*-"H" Valves 0.660 mm (0.026) 0.584-0.736 mm

Models 604XGKXX (0.023-0.029 in.)

Exhaust Valve Clearance*-"J" All Natural 0.914 mm (0.036 in.) -

Gas Models 604XXXGX
Exhaust Valve Clearance **_Nickel- Alloy 0.508 mm (0.020 in.) 0.432-0.584 mm
Valves Models 604XMKXX, 604XTKXX (0.017-0.023 in.)
Table 3. Valve Clearance and Injector Height Settings

XX Any characters in these positions set to the adjacent column.

* "U", "H", and "J" valves have the letter designation stamped in the recess of the valve
head. "H" and "J" valves also have a machined identification ring above the valve lock
groove. "U" valves do not.
** After engine serial number 4R37769 the valve is identified by the raised bump in the
center of the recess on the combustion face, the deletion of the machined identification
ring above the keeper groove and the part number.

Figure 2. Timing Gage

To determine if improper valve clearance, injector height or both are causing the
cylinder to misfire, perform the following preliminary step 1 through step 3 and repeat
step 4 through step 12 for each cylinder to determine if worn or damaged lobes or
rollers are causing the engine to misfire:

1. Disconnect starting power for engine.

2. Remove the engine valve rocker cover. Refer to "1.6.2 Cleaning and Removing
of Two-piece Rocker Cover-Diesel Engines Only" . .
3. Insert a 3/4 in. drive breaker bar or ratchet into the square hole in the center of
the crankshaft pulley.
4. Bar the engine over. Stop engine rotation when any one of the injector followers
has just begun its downward stroke; see Figure "Injector Followers Downward
Stroke" .
 1. Injector Follower 4. Injector Cam Lobe

2. Injector Rocker
Arm Assembly

3. Injector Roller 5. Point on the Camshaft Lobe that first produces

downward motion of the injector follower

Figure 3. Injector Followers Downward Stroke

5. Using the Timing Circle Chart, see Figure "Timing Circle Chart" , locate the
cylinder requiring clearance. The timing circle can be started with any cylinder.
Ensure that the circle is completed to adjust all valves and injectors.

Figure 4. Timing Circle Chart

 NOTICE:
Never set the valves and injector of the same cylinder at the same time. Doing
this will result in engine damage.
6. For diesel applications adjust the intake valves, insert a feeler gage between the
tip of the valve stem and the valve button at the end of the rocker arm. See
Figure "Valve Clearance Adjustment" and see Table "Valve Clearance and
Injector Height Settings" .
7. For natural gas applications adjust the intake valves, insert a feeler gage between
the tip of the valve stem and the valve button at the end of the rocker arm. See
Table "Valve Clearance and Injector Height Settings" .
8. Loosen the locknut, and turn the adjusting set screw until the feeler gage
produces an even smooth pull between the valve stem and valve button.
 1. Feeler Gage 4. Wrench (9/16 in.)

2. Valve Button 5. Intake Valve Stem

3. Allen Wrench (3/16 in.)

Figure 5. Valve Clearance Adjustment

9. Torque the locknut to 41-47 N·m (30-35 lb·ft) and remove the feeler gage.
Reinsert the feeler gage to ensure that the adjustment did not change when the
locknut was tightened. Readjust as necessary.
10. For diesel applications the exhaust valves are adjusted the same way as the
intake valves. See Table "Valve Clearance and Injector Height Settings" .

After engine serial number 4R37769 use a 0.5080 mm (0.020 in.) feeler gage.
Check option label on valve cover for correct settings. It is normal for tune-up
settings to vary, even when using the correct setting procedures. Some items
influencing tune-up measurements are different gages, individuals and
mechanical variations.

Note: When setting valve lash clearance or injector height, always set them to
the dimensions listed in Table "Valve Clearance and Injector Height Settings" .

11. For natural gas applications the exhaust valves are adjusted the same way as the
intake valves. See Table "Valve Clearance and Injector Height Settings" .
12. Complete the adjustment of all four valves (two intake, two exhaust) for that
cylinder before proceeding to step 13 .
13. Refer to the Timing Circle Chart and note the cylinder number in parentheses,
directly under the cylinder that just received the valve lash adjustment. See
Figure "Timing Circle Chart" .
14. Adjust the fuel injector height for the cylinder indicated on the chart in
parentheses, see Figure "Timing Circle Chart" , by placing the small end of the
height gage in the hole provided in the fuel injector body, with the flat of the
gage toward the fuel injector plunger. See Figure "Fuel Injector Height
Adjustment" . Set injectors to the dimensions listed in Table "Valve Clearance
and Injector Height Settings" .
1. Height Gage Flag 4. Set Screw

2. Height Gage 5. Locknut

3. Allen Wrench (3/16 in.) 6. Fuel Injector Follower

Figure 6. Fuel Injector Height Adjustment

 15. Loosen the fuel injector rocker arm locknut and turn the adjusting set screw until
the extended part (flag) of the gage will just pass over the top of the injector
follower. An accurate "feel" will be developed. The objective is to adjust all four
injectors to the same feel.
16. Torque the locknut to 41-47 N·m (30-35 lb·ft). Check the adjustment with the
height gage and, if necessary, readjust the set screw. Remove the height gage.
17. Refer to the Timing Circle Chart. See Figure "Timing Circle Chart" and follow
the arrow to the next cylinder in the adjustment sequence.
18. Bar the engine over in the direction of normal rotation until the injector follower
of the next cylinder in the adjustment sequence begins its downward motion, see
Figure "Injector Followers Downward Stroke" .

1. Injector Follower 4. Injector Cam Lobe

2. Injector Rocker 5. Point on the Camshaft Lobe that first produces

Arm Assembly downward motion of the injector follower

3. Injector Roller

Figure 7. Injector Followers Downward Stroke

19. Repeat the valve adjustment and fuel injector height adjustment step 5 through
step 17 until all the valves and fuel injectors have been adjusted.
20. If the engine is equipped with Jake Brakes®, adjust Jake brake slave pistons.
Refer to "1.30.5.1 Adjustment of Slave Piston" .
21. Replace the engine rocker cover. Refer to "1.6.1 Repair or Replacement of
Rocker Cover" .
22. Reconnect starting power to the engine.

Series 50 Service Manual - 6SE50 Printed Fri Feb 13 10:29:07 2009

Copyright © 2009 by Detroit Diesel Corporation. All rights reserved.

Generated on 02-11-2009