Valve Clearance Check

All engines 

1. Remove the valve covers. For additional information, refer to VALVE COVER - LH  and VALVE COVER - RH .

   Engines built through 10/09/08 

   NOTE: To locate the build date of the engine, refer to ENGINE CODE INFORMATION LABEL  .
NOTE: The valve clearance must be measured at room temperature.
NOTE: The valve clearance must be measured with the camshaft at base circle. The engine will have to be rotated with the crankshaft pulley bolt to bring each valve to base circle.
NOTE: To locate the build date of the engine, refer to ENGINE CODE INFORMATION LABEL  .
2. Use a feeler gauge to measure the clearance of each valve and record its location. A midrange clearance is the most desirable:
   • Intake: 0.15-0.25 mm (0.006-0.01 in)
   • Exhaust: 0.300-0.400 mm (0.0118-0.0157 in)
     Fig 1: Measuring Clearance Between Valve

     Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

   Engines built 10/10/08 and after 

NOTE: The valve clearance must be measured with the camshaft at base circle. The engine will have to be rotated with the crankshaft pulley bolt to bring each valve to base circle.
3. Use a feeler gauge to measure the clearance of each valve and record its location. A midrange clearance is the most desirable:
   • Intake: 0.15-0.25 mm (0.006-0.01 in)
   • Exhaust: 0.360-0.460 mm (0.0142-0.0181 in)
     Fig 2: Measuring Clearance Between Valve

     Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

   All engines 

NOTE: The number on the valve tappet reflects the thickness of the valve tappet. For example, a tappet with the number 3.310 has the thickness of 3.31 mm (0.13 in).
4. If any of the valve clearances are out of specification, select new tappets using this formula: tappet thickness = measured clearance + the base tappet thickness - most desirable thickness.

   Select the tappets and mark the installation location.

5. If required, install the new selected valve tappets in the marked locations. For additional information, refer to VALVE TAPPETS .