Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Air Valve Spring
To adjust air valve spring wind-up, loosen lockscrew (Allen screw) and turn adjusting screw counterclockwise to remove all spring tension. With air valve held closed, turn adjusting screw clockwise until torsion spring just contacts pin in shaft; then turn adjusting screw clockwise as specified in following table. While holding adjusting screw in this position, tighten lockscrew.
| Application | Amount of Turn | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buick | ||||
| 455" | 7/16" | |||
| 350" | 11/16" | |||
| Cadillac | ||||
| Except Eldorado | 5/16 | |||
| Eldorado | 3/8 | |||
| Chevrolet | ||||
| 350" | 1/2 | |||
| 350" (1) | 3/4 | |||
| 454" | 11/16 | |||
| Oldsmobile | ||||
| 350" | 1/2 | |||
| 455" | 3/4 | |||
| Pontiac | ||||
| 7043263 | 5/8 | |||
| 7043264 | 1/2 | |||
| 7043274 | 9/16 | |||
| 7043262 | 3/8 | |||
| 7043265 | 9/16 | |||
| 7043272 | 3/8 | |||
|
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NO RELATED
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.