I bought a torque wrench specifically for doing a valve adjustment. I set the wrench to spec (14 ft lb) and proceeded to tighten down the locknut. I went slow, and there was never a click, so I kept turning. With the long ass handle on this torque wrench, it didn't feel like I was over tightening it. All of a sudden, it was super loose, like you could finger tighten it. I took the nut back off, and found that it had cross threaded.

So where can I get a replacement tappet lock nut? I tried searching on Napa's website, no such luck. I will call Honda tomorrow, see what they say. But the lock nuts have a machined surface so I don't think I could just use ones from the hardware store.

BTW... do you guys even use a torque wrench to tighten these lock nuts down, or do you just do it by feel? what about the valve cover? I'd think for these to areas, it'd be important to torque them to spec because of the high speed movement (tappet locknuts) and gaskets (valve cover) involved.

Nevermind. Just ordered from Honda.

Still curious though as to if you guys use a torque wrench and torque to spec, or just do it by feel.

Also, I've seen several write ups, and a youtube vid, of this being done, and in all of them, they're using the feeler gauge under the tappet screw. In the actual Honda service manual, not the helms, they show it being done in between the cam lobe and rocker arm. Does anybody do it this way?

Yes, yes yes yes yes. Anything inside the engine gets torqued with a properly calibrated torque wrench, always.

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Prelude Enthusiast: [prel-yood, preyl-, prey-lood, pree-lood], [en-thoo-zee-ast, -ist] noun: Someone who is willing to do whatever it takes to push the envelope, performance wise or stylistically, all the while brushing their shoulders off in a truly pimp-esque manor.

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^^ this.

I use a 3/8 torque wrench for small stuff with low torque. 1/2" gets the nod for big n tight stuff like crank bolt. And a beam wrench for low torque stuff where a pound or two off is ok like t-tstat housing or valve cover bolts.

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God's Not Dead

You don't put the feeler gauge underneath the actual tappet screw where it touches the valve stem. You put it underneath the cam lobe and rocker arm. Here's a picture I found should help.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f2...t/Dscf3653.jpg

Also do make sure to use the torque wrench on those lock nuts. Failure to tighten them to spec will have you going back in there to readjust them within months or probably less. Same thing with the valve cover bolts it's super easy to strip those bolts or even break the stud since they are only 8.7lbs.

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2001 Honda Prelude Electron Blue Pearl
2000 Honda Prelude parts car (5 speed swap donor)

That's what I thought and how I did it previously when I had a 4th gen. That's how its depicted in the Honda service manual too. I've seen like 2 or 3 write-ups on various websites/forums, as well as a youtube video, and in everyone the person is using the feeler gauge under the tappet screw.