F-22 Raptor SHO
New Member
Well I did my 60k this weekend on my 95 ATX SHO wikth 77,300 miles. This is the first ATX to be done by the Kalamazoo SHO guys and my first personal Valve lash 60k. Here are some helpful observations:
1: Firstly I want to thank SDPATT who didnt help directly with this one, but has given many like me the confidence to tackle such a project. Scott, you are truly the trail blazer in this area.
2: I have been using Mobil 1 conventional oil for 30,000 miles. After taking off the valve covers, I didnt like the carmel coating I saw. Not Penzoil or Quaker State bad, but enough for me to say "Why the **** did I take the chance?" back to Castrol GTX. Rule 1: never stray from Castrol.
3: Having Done my timing belt, water pump and CPS in October I noted a very interesting thing: My crank bolt had loosened up in the 6 months I drove the car. It was less than finger tight, in fact, it was 2 turns out. DAAAAAMN. I thought it was tight. doh I tightened it last time the best I could before the engine would turn. Tip for really tightening it: With the accessory belt on, use a wrench on the alternator as a brace to get the torque you need. Rule 2: get a stupid torque wrench for pete's sake. Man that would have been a bummer if it had come loose.
3: Wanna know how many 2550's I used to shim with? ZIPPO, NADDA. Most were 2600 and above. in fact, nearly all of them were. No out of spec measurements, in fact, I was mostly at 11 and 8 for exhaust and intake respectively. Seems the ATX took bigger shims than other 60k's we have done.
4: Dont like breaking Valve cover bolts? Use an allen wrench instead of the craftsman allen socket. Kinda hard to break one if you are using a tool so small you can barely get 11 ft/lbs with.
5: Dont use a 16 pt 10 mm socket. They suck. I rounded off one of the intake bolts with it. Thanks Hunter for having an extra.
6: Use a dental mirror to check the rear valve cover gasket when you are putting everything back on.
7: The MTX plug wire set from FPN @ 99.00 was a bargain and it works great. Watch the #5 plug wire when you put the intake back on. Make sure it isnt getting pinched by the front plenum.
I was very happy with the job when it was done. Car runs great, and I am set for another 60,000 miles before I need to deal with it again.
Thanks go to Huntervf for taking his sunday to help put this thing back together as it is always easier with 2 people. Thanks also to another helper who is not a forum member for doing his 10th valve lash in Kzoo. thumb
1: Firstly I want to thank SDPATT who didnt help directly with this one, but has given many like me the confidence to tackle such a project. Scott, you are truly the trail blazer in this area.
2: I have been using Mobil 1 conventional oil for 30,000 miles. After taking off the valve covers, I didnt like the carmel coating I saw. Not Penzoil or Quaker State bad, but enough for me to say "Why the **** did I take the chance?" back to Castrol GTX. Rule 1: never stray from Castrol.
3: Having Done my timing belt, water pump and CPS in October I noted a very interesting thing: My crank bolt had loosened up in the 6 months I drove the car. It was less than finger tight, in fact, it was 2 turns out. DAAAAAMN. I thought it was tight. doh I tightened it last time the best I could before the engine would turn. Tip for really tightening it: With the accessory belt on, use a wrench on the alternator as a brace to get the torque you need. Rule 2: get a stupid torque wrench for pete's sake. Man that would have been a bummer if it had come loose.
3: Wanna know how many 2550's I used to shim with? ZIPPO, NADDA. Most were 2600 and above. in fact, nearly all of them were. No out of spec measurements, in fact, I was mostly at 11 and 8 for exhaust and intake respectively. Seems the ATX took bigger shims than other 60k's we have done.
4: Dont like breaking Valve cover bolts? Use an allen wrench instead of the craftsman allen socket. Kinda hard to break one if you are using a tool so small you can barely get 11 ft/lbs with.
5: Dont use a 16 pt 10 mm socket. They suck. I rounded off one of the intake bolts with it. Thanks Hunter for having an extra.
6: Use a dental mirror to check the rear valve cover gasket when you are putting everything back on.
7: The MTX plug wire set from FPN @ 99.00 was a bargain and it works great. Watch the #5 plug wire when you put the intake back on. Make sure it isnt getting pinched by the front plenum.
I was very happy with the job when it was done. Car runs great, and I am set for another 60,000 miles before I need to deal with it again.
Thanks go to Huntervf for taking his sunday to help put this thing back together as it is always easier with 2 people. Thanks also to another helper who is not a forum member for doing his 10th valve lash in Kzoo. thumb
