Originally Posted by
DBMaster
I like the go-no-go feeler gauge set. There are strips on mine that are .005-.007 and .010-.012. Those are the ones for my car. They seem easier because you can feel the drag over a range of clearance rather than a single clearance. It's hard to describe until you use them, but I like them much better than the single ones. Even with proper clearances you are going to hear a bit of rocker noise. That's to be expected with a non-hydraulic valve train. A pretty good Honda guy told me that if you adjust them tight enough to be very quiet that you have the clearances too tight and you risk a burned valve seat.
I check mine every 20K miles or so. I don't think I have ever had to change adjustments on all of them - maybe about half of them. The newer Hondas - like the Oasis van (Odyssey) I had only recommends checking valve clearance "when noisy." I also don't mess with pulling the spark plugs. The engine's harder to turn, but not that hard.