* VALVE ADJUSTMENT *

SD diesels were widely available in the US in the 1981-86 Datsun/Nissan 720 pickups, and in Canada through '87 in the D21 pickup.

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Zoltan
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* VALVE ADJUSTMENT *

#1

Post by Zoltan »

I am totally new to the SD22 engine. I got plenty experience on Mazda diesels, but this one is quite different. I got the factory manual and trying to follow the instructions to adjusting the valves. I got 2 "stupid" questions to which I couldn't find answers in the book:

How do I find the TDC for cylinder 1?


Which are the intake valves? The odd or even numbered ones?


It took me 15 minutes to figure out that to turn the engine, I have to put a screwdriver into one of the 4 holes in the crankshaft pulley. On Mazda diesels one can turn the flywheel till one can see the TDC mark through a hole.
- Zoltan -
________________________________
'82 Datsun 720 SD22 California model
'86 Ford Escort 2.0L Diesel
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philip
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Re: Valve adjustments

#2

Post by philip »

Zoltan wrote:I am totally new to the SD22 engine. I got plenty experience on Mazda diesels, but this one is quite different. I got the factory manual and trying to follow the instructions to adjusting the valves. I got 2 "stupid" questions to which I couldn't find answers in the book:

How do I find the TDC for cylinder 1?
.
Since you have the factory service book in front of you, I'll build on that information.

Turn engine to TDC compression. At this position, BOTH valves on #1 cylinder will be loose or tight. If loose, you are at TDC compression. If tight, rotate the crankshaft 360 degrees.

Image

Which are the intake valves? The odd or even numbered ones?
.
From the front, EX-IN, IN-EX, EX-IN, IN-EX

Valve Lash dimension: 0.35mm (0.014") HOT (minimum 30 minutes driving)

Rocker arm locknut torque: 14-18 ft/lb.
Last edited by philip 17 years ago, edited 3 times in total.
-Philip
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .

1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22

"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
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Zoltan
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#3

Post by Zoltan »

I adjusted the valves this past Thursay, but to the contrary what the picture shows, I couldn't see any timing mark on the crankshaft pulley. I am still not sure how to find TDC on this engine, but somehow I managed to do the job.

There was quite a bit of gap, and now that the valve lashes are adjusted, I have much less smoke and a more responsive engine. I still have a little bit of white smoke. What should I do next? Play with the "smoker" ?
- Zoltan -
________________________________
'82 Datsun 720 SD22 California model
'86 Ford Escort 2.0L Diesel
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philip
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#4

Post by philip »

Zoltan wrote:I adjusted the valves this past Thursay, but to the contrary what the picture shows, I couldn't see any timing mark on the crankshaft pulley. I am still not sure how to find TDC on this engine, but somehow I managed to do the job. SNIP
VERY simple. Turn the engine until the valves on #4 cylinder are EQUALLY off seat. This is the overlap position (exhaust finishing, intake beginning).

With this position established, you will find the teeny timing mark divot on the inner edge of the pulley being somewhere close to the stationary timing reference "fin" on the cam gear cover as previously shown. Continue to align the LEFT-most divot with the "fin" on the cam drive gear cover. This will be TDC Compression for #1 cylinder. Follow the adjustment pattern in the FSM.

Now rotate the crankshaft 360 degrees. Adjust the remaining valves per the FSM pattern.

Remember, the engine needs to be fully heated through (30 minutes driving) before making this adjustment.
Last edited by philip 17 years ago, edited 1 time in total.
-Philip
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .

1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22

"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
moose60
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#5

Post by moose60 »

I was pleasantly suprised today with how easy this job is on the SD22. I have done lots of different engines, and this one was was really nice.
Byron

82 Datsun 720 KC SD22

MPG Machine
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the-486
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#6

Post by the-486 »

philip wrote:Follow the adjustment pattern in the FSM.
Now rotate the crankshaft 360 degrees. Adjust the remaining valves per the FSM pattern.
Would someone with an FSM be so kind as to post a scan of the Pages on Valve Adjustment, Including the Adjustment Pattern, or maybe write a description of the pattern.

I know that by turning the crank, from TDC on cyl #1, it would be easy enough to watch the rockers through the rotation of the crank/cam, thus opening the next valve in the sequence, But the diagram would be great to refer to. I have a nice diagram for my OM617 Benz. Every time I adjust the valves on that engine, I print out a copy of the diagram and mark off each valve with a pen as I have adjusted it, and take notes for the file. This is super helpful, as I've got little ones, and often my wrenching time is momentarily interrupted, and that can make it easy to forget just where you were at. Ah, the joys of parenting! :shock:
---------------------------------------------------------
-the 486 kid
1981 720 KC SD22 169K+ B-100 " RUST BUCKET! "
1979 Mercedes 300SD 290K+ B-100 / SVO!
1995 P-30 Step-Van, Cummins 4BTa,SVO Campervan!
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philip
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#7

Post by philip »

the-486 wrote:
philip wrote:Follow the adjustment pattern in the FSM.
Now rotate the crankshaft 360 degrees. Adjust the remaining valves per the FSM pattern.
Would someone with an FSM be so kind as to post a scan of the Pages on Valve Adjustment, Including the Adjustment Pattern, or maybe write a description of the pattern. :shock:
HOT setting, INtake and EXhaust: 0.35mm - (0.014")

Image
-Philip
Passed 08May2008
My friend, you are missed . . .

1982 Datsun 720KC SD-22

"Im slow and I'm ahead of you"
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the-486
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Location: Portland, OR, USA
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Getting well adjusted...

#8

Post by the-486 »

:D

Valves adjusted, total time 12 Minutes.

That has got to be the easiest valve adjustment job i've ever done. Makes the old OM617 seem like a real dog!

Thanks so much for the diagram scan Phillip! I think that makes this thread on getting well adjusted complete.

I'll post the results of the adjustment later.
---------------------------------------------------------
-the 486 kid
1981 720 KC SD22 169K+ B-100 " RUST BUCKET! "
1979 Mercedes 300SD 290K+ B-100 / SVO!
1995 P-30 Step-Van, Cummins 4BTa,SVO Campervan!
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