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Thread: Adjusting z400 valves

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    21

    Adjusting z400 valves

    I think i need to adjust my valves on my z400, cause i hear lil noise in the top engine part. also i read sum where i should adjust them 15-20 hours of riding time ( from brand new) I dont no 2 much about adjusting the valves.
    so what size feller gauges do i use?
    Do i have to purchase a shim kit ?
    and i need to no how to do it
    plz some body help me adjust my valves

    thank you 4 reading

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Argyle NY
    Posts
    888
    Well to be honest I don't know much about the Z400 itself, but have adjusted valves on a couple different engines. You will have to take off the head cover. Then loosen the lock nut on the valves then adjust them to spec, tightening the push rod onto the feeler gauge. I do not know the specific clearance, but all this should be done at TDC on the compression stroke, while the engine is cold. And NEVER over-tighten!

    Now with that said it is more likely that the valves would tighten rather than loosen, sense the valve faces and seats wear quicker than the cam and rockers. I would probably lean toward the cam chain tensionor or the chain itself. I know the 400EX had trouble with these. Adjusting the valves is always a good idea, you can just do it every oil change to ensure peak performance.

    I will see if I can get the specs with a posting in the Z400 forum part, if you haven't done so already. I hope I helped a bit, but hope I can soon help more...
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  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Chandler, AZ
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    Originally posted by 250X_project
    ....Then loosen the lock nut on the valves then adjust them to spec, tightening the push rod onto the feeler gauge....
    Not on a Z400. It has a shim under bucket valvetrain.

    Your best bet is to buy a service manual. It will have step by step instructions. You can by a shim kit or you can measure your current clearences, remove the old shims, calculate the correct sizes needed (the service manual will help you do that), and then go to your dealer and get the sizes you need.
    "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble.
    It's what you know for sure that just ain't so. "

    --Mark Twain

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Argyle NY
    Posts
    888
    I'm sorry. I retract my posting. What are the benefits to the shim valves?
    MY TOYS
    406X Honda
    Powroll stroker w/ Vesrah shorty rod
    ProFab big bore
    White Brothers cam
    ported & polished head w/ +1 intake
    Kibble White HD springs
    38mm Keihin-choke removed
    full DG RCM exhaust- want X-6
    DID silent HD cam chain
    K&N filter-No lid
    02 Raptor-
    High comp 720 kit
    Web cam 461/496
    K&N filter
    Supertrapp exhaust
    lowered 1.5"
    92 250X-12:1 WIESCO .020/No-Toil filter
    03 CBR954 - full 2brothers exhaust
    95 Kawasaki Ninja ZX6 streetfighter
    93 Honda XR80R
    83 Z50R -K&N filter
    98 Arctic Cat Cougar 550 liquid
    86 Ski-Doo Citation

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Location
    Chandler, AZ
    Posts
    4,021
    Shim under bucket valvetrains like that in the Z400 typically have less moving mass then the rocker arm arangement in the 400EX. Less mass is good.
    "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble.
    It's what you know for sure that just ain't so. "

    --Mark Twain

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