We have preached about retarding engine timing when the horsepower is increased to reduce internal pressure. This pertains to all Big Cam I, II, III, and early BC IV engines with locked in timing. If your engine has MVT (mechanical valve timing) or STC (step timing control) you already have retarded timing. That’s why the NTC 444 runs so well with high flow injectors and high volume fuel pumps and don’t forget the dual fuel line kit.

 

Setting valve and injectors: Years ago with small cam engines we would set the pointer on the accessory drive on A or 1-6 v.s. and set the injector and valves on no. 1 cylinder if both valves were closed. This is now called the outer base circle method. Then came the dial indicator method where we would set no. 3 injector and no. 5 valves when the accessory drive was set on A or 1-6 v.s. In 1978 top stop injectors came along. They were to be set at finger tight, zero lash or 5 to 6 inch lbs. on no. 3 injector and .011 intake valve and .023 exhaust valve on no. 5 cylinder on the "a" mark of the accessory drive. This is called the inner base circle method.

 

Now, in 1988 came the STC injector and we are back to setting them on the outer base circle method. Just like the old NH 250 and NTC 335’s. You will need a Snap-On dial type 0 to 150 inch-pound torque wrench. Bring up "A" on the accessory drive and if both valves are closed on #1 cylinder adjust the injector and valves on that cylinder.

Then proceed to the "B" mark and adjust the injector and valves on #5 cylinder. With the outer base circle method the intake valve is set at .014 and the exhaust valve is set at .027. Now here’s the kicker, the CPL of your engine determines the amount of inch lbs. the injector is set to. For instance, if the CPL is 821, 833, 903, 904 or 1215 the setting is 105 in.-lbs. On CPL’s of 827, 910, 1185, 1188, 1210, 1211, 1256 and 1280 the setting is 90 in-lbs. The N-14 with CPL’s of 1374, 1380, 1395, 1405, 1507, 1530, 1532, 1607 and 1652 require 125 in-lbs. and the valves are all .014 intake and .027 exhaust.

 

If you purchase your custom flowed injectors from Diesel Injection of Pittsburgh we will furnish to you the correct settings. By keeping the valves and injectors adjusted the life of the engine will increase by about 20% and perform much better. You can purchase the Snap-On torque wrench and other necessary equipment at our shop to make it possible for you to adjust your own valves and injectors.

Crazy Norm Murakami, the high powered owner operator from Costa Mesa, Ca. wants to enter his Western Star with the 900 + H.P Cummins in the Pony Express race. This high-speed race starts at Battle Mountain Nevada and goes to Austin, NV. a distance of 84 miles wide open. Norm wants to have a G.V.W. of 60,000 and maintain 125 to 130 mph. for the distance.

 

Quote of the month: There are doers, and there are those who are afraid. Which are you?