Adjusting the Valves on the Predator

[wolffie]

now, this sounds a little lame, but when putting the feeler gauge in, you need to make sure not to do to much "wiggle waggling" back and forth. you should put the feeler gauge right up the lobe and push firmly, and it should go in some what firmly. if you have to muscle it back and forth that means it is TOO TIGHT. dont try to force anything either. like i said, it should go in firm, and come out firm.


also, check the clearances from the other two bucket-n-shim areas in order to get an accurate reading from both parts of the cam. RECORD your measurings.

[wolffie]

ok, so chances are things are out of wack. this is where i usually seek the help of slave labor just kidding. bought seriousely, grab a buddy, this will make things easier.

you will need to loosen the cam tensioner. located on the right side of the quad near where the header raps around. pop the 10mm bolt off (it is really shallow) and set it with your parts. you will need to take a screw driver (i believe a 1/8) and stick it in the slot until it "catches". now, have your buddy turn the screwdrive to the RIGHT until it can be turned no more. either use a vice grip to hold the tension or just have your friend sit there and hold it. this takes the tension off of the cam chain so you can remove it. picture taken by preddy08 from www.predatorowners.com

[wolffie]

heres some common screw driver sizes. i used the one on the far right which, as mentioned before, i believe is a 1/8 (my memory is startin to **** out on me, lol )

[wolffie]

ok now take the cam stay off (metal piece holding the cams). it is held down with 8 8mm bolts. (use CAUTION when reinstalling these because they are cheap bolts that like to break!!)

now, when taking the cover off, DO NOT just yank and go. wiggle it slightly to get her loose because there are little C-clips that sit on the cam and if they fly off you got some problems. you will then most likely spend the rest of your day with a magnent lookin for em. again, this picture is from preddy08 on www.predatorowners.com

[wolffie]

aight, so throw those parts on a table and take the cams out. make sure you have a hand or finger on the chain because you DO NOT want to drop that into the engine. that =bad.

the cams come out a little stiff as you need to wiggle them a bit. i would reccomend taking the exhaust cam out first and then zip tying the cam chain to your frame while you get the intake cam out.

[wolffie]

ok so your parts table should start to be pretty big now.

[wolffie]

just so you know, the exhaust cam has little "ring" around it. make sure you dont mix up the cams! ok so now you should be looking at da buckets. under the buckets are the shims that control the clearances of your cams.

[wolffie]

USE a magnet to take the buckets out, that way the shim will come with it.

[wolffie]

i organize the buckets and shims a certain way so when i make adjustments it is more simplistic.




if you are sitting on the quad, picture the top two buckets Front left and Front right, and the lower buckets Bottom Left and Bottom right. the top buckets and shims control the intake cam (clearances should be .010") and the bottom buckets and shims control the intake (clearances should be at .006")

[wolffie]

now, you are lookin specifically at the shims. there should be lil numbers written on them, but sometimes they will be worn off. record these numbers in relation to the chart i just showed you, and take them to your dealer with the original clearances you recorder. they should get you in the right direction.


or, if you feel ambitious, or just have a suck *** dealer, order this kit:


http://www.magicracing.com/HotCams-S..._211-1409.html


this is the cheapest you will find, even if you 2 day ship it! in fact, its 2 day shipment beats Rocky's UPS ground!!! this baby has plenty of shims to last you pretty much a lifetime.


**if your clearances are too tight, you need a thinner shim

** if your clearances are big, you need to go to a thicker shim.

example:

you measured your intake clearance at .011" and you shim is a 192, you should try increasing that to say a 197 or 195. (the shim kit i mentioned is in increments of 5.)