Need to know how to set valves on a 89 v6 camaro rs

[casperthedopest]

Ok i just bought a camaro rs with the 2.8 v6 now i dident pay much because the engine is all taken apart. I have all the parts and and the engine is in real good shape.The car has duel exust and has no leaks and a few things have been done to engine(which isnt taken completely apart I just need to put the valve covers on,the fuel injectors,and intake manifold.) I have all the bolts.But the real problem is the guywho put the valves in put them in backwords or something??? iam not totaly sure because he spoke broken english.But, actully i was told the vavles just need to be set and i need to know what to set them to???So my friend whos a mechnic can set them.It would help a bunch. Thanks.

[TechX]

Well to be safe because of your statement "he put them in backwards" I would recommend you remove the heads and take them to an automotive machine shop to be checked. This will cost less than 100 bucks. The rest is in Chiltons/Haynes if you want to put it together. I wonder why he tore it apart in the first place...

[89IROC&RS]

well, im not very familiar with the 2.8L, but in some of the newer V6's the pushrods are dedicated intake and exhaust, meaning that the intake pushrods are longer than the exhaust ones, if you mix them up, you will have serious issues. as far as putting the valves in backwards, i would pull the heads and have them checked, better to do it now, than put it all together, fire it up, and have to pull it all apart again because its running like shit. as far as setting the valves, i think you mean setting valve lash. to do this, put everhthing together finger tight, and with the valve closed, turn the pushrod between your index finger and thumb, back and forth as you tighten the nut on the rocker arm. do this till the pushrod stops turning. then tighten the nut an additional turn. and move on to the next valve. rotating the engine by hand ass nessesary to make sure the valve you are working on is closed as you do this.