Northern Lights — Valve Clearance Adjustment
Adjustments · Cylinder head valves
From a Northern Lights owner's manual covering: M20C, M844, M844L, OM844K2, SP5, SP6. Check it applies to your exact model before use.
Applies to: Northern Lights M20C, Northern Lights M844, Northern Lights M844L
Procedure
- Adjust valve clearance after the first 50 hours of operation and every 1000 hours thereafter.
- Valve adjustments should be done after the cylinder head bolts have been re-tightened; engine should be cold and NOT running.
- Watch the valves while turning the engine over by hand until the inlet valve starts to open and the exhaust valve starts to close.
- Turn the crankshaft one more full turn and adjust the clearance on both valves for this cylinder.
- Loosen the lock nut and adjust clearance between the rocker arm and valve guide of both intake and exhaust valves with the adjustment screw.
- Clearance on both intake and exhaust valves should be 0.008 in. (0.2 mm).
- Repeat steps for each cylinder; each set of valves must be adjusted individually.
- Replace the rocker arm cover. Tighten cover nuts to 5 - 8 ft/lbs (0.8 - 2.3 kg/m).
Tools required
Tool links are Amazon searches (affiliate links); manufacturer special tools may only be available from a dealer.
Specs & values
- Valve clearance 0.008 in. (0.2 mm)
- Rocker arm cover nuts 5 - 8 ft/lbs (0.8 - 2.3 kg/m)
Full service-parts list: Northern Lights M20C →, Northern Lights M844 →, Northern Lights M844L →
Source: Northern Lights owner's manual. Steps and values are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.