So since I got my tracker about 3 months ago, I've been working on lift/tires, but also getting the "routine" maintenance done. Gears and locker in the next 30 days

Today was a compression check, new plugs, and valve lash.

Pulled the plugs, did the compression check. Bad news it's lower than I'd like (all about 130), good news is they are all the same

I made a parts run and got a valve cover gasket and a set of regular plugs (my trac aint "platinum"). Doinked up and shoulda got a cap and rotor too

Come home and put the new plugs in (after gapping properly), and for kicks checked the gap on the old ones ... WAY out (042 and spec is 030) ... cripes. Adjust timing after the "proper" gap, and running much better.

Now for the valve lash. Pull the valve cover and ... OMG, I have a screw loose ...

I'm thinking thank god that didn't fall out. But then  I see ....

Yup ... BOTH screws on the rear retainer were GONE. Cripes! I spot the intake side screw sitting in the pooled oil, but no sign of the exhaust side. I get a probe magnet out and start fishing ... finally found it down the oil return passage! Holy crap! (and a big whew!)

This sucker was a live grenade (pin pulled), but thankfully those screws didn't find their way to BOOM.

One of the recovered screws is mashed, so if someone has a blown head/engine and could drop a screw into an envelope I'd REALLY appreciate it. I'm calling trail tough tuesday, so I might get brent to put one into my order, but if you have one, help me please.

I buttoned things up missing the one screw for the moment. Hell, drove like a champ missing BOTH! LOL

So, it's running like a top now that the valve lash has been set properly! (but that cap and rotor have some major carbon deposits).

Great pics.  How on earth did those screw get loose to begin with?

Great pics.  How on earth did those screw get loose to begin with?

Probably my karma ... (always been known for someone with a screw loose)

That seems to be a usual thing. I have seen and heard of many 8v with those screws loose or missing. Some have never recoverd the screws and just kept on trucking.

Probably my karma ... (always been known for someone with a screw loose)

Dang, that was going to be my quote
The missin screw probley went out the exhaust pipe.

Shit, it's a good thing you found those... I wonder if it's possible to loctite those?

That seems to be a usual thing. I have seen and heard of many 8v with those screws loose or missing. Some have never recoverd the screws and just kept on trucking.

I've never looked under my valve cover...never really had a reason too.  I hope all my screws are there.  

I've never looked under my valve cover...never really had a reason too.  I hope all my screws are there.  

Valve lash is due every 15K miles. Mine wasn't too far out, but it did have some clatter. None of the valves were too tight, but a couple were a thou or two over.

Now that it's adjusted, the engine sounds much better, and seems to be running better too.