willibee-

i dont mean to hash too much stuff out... but you are INCORRECT with the valve clearance spec's. The 350 Engine in the rancher is not the same as the '86 350 fourtrax. This is also a cam-in-block system, not overhead cam. Your long paragraph above is a little confusing, and i apologize if i read it wrong, but to clarify your info--

Valve clearance for this engine is .006" for intake and exhaust.

The camshaft is in the block, not on top the cylinder, and has solid lifters, that's why there's a clearance spec. Hydraulic lifters are what's like in cars (I'm a Ford technician) and that's why there is no clearance to check, pressurized oil takes up the slack.

Overhead cam has valve 'tappets' but work very similar to the solid lifters, and have a clearance to check.

The '86 350 fourtrax is a completely different engine.

 

Dealer told me 3 intake and 4 exhaust on 1986 TRX 350, and the same on my brother's 2004 TRX 350 Rancher are the same and that's what i set them both at. The valve spec.'s aren't the same on all Honda model's with some smaller engines and larger engine's having the wider gap setting, i did have the spec. number's off by 10 i had it at 0.03 inch when it should've been 0.003 inch and Exhaust 0.004 inch in the manual. The dealer just said intake 3 and exhaust 4 because they knew i understood the difference without adding the 0's ! If you look in the difference make manual's on the market some only show spec. in metric while other's show them in both metric and inch ! I have selveral difference type manual's, Cymers, Intertec, Haynes and Honda O.EM. 's. They can be confusing at times going between the difference manauls, i'm sorry if you thought i was trying to insult you with my post's. Like you i only come here to try and help out. Here is one in my Haynes manual for the Honda TRX300EX and the Honda TRX400EX 1993 thru 1999 year model's The Honda TRX300EX has valve spec.'s Stem - to - guide clearance: Intake Standard......................0.010 to 0.032 mm ( 0.0004 to 0.0013 inch ) Limit......................0.2 mm ( 0.005 inch ) Exhaust: Standard.........................0.030 to 0.052 mm ( 0.0012 to 0.0020 inch ) Limit.........................0.14 mm ( 0.006 inch ) The Honda TRX400EX has the valve setting: Stem to guide clearance Intake: Standard..............................0.010 to 0.037 mm ( 0.0004 to 0.0015 inch ) Exhaust: Standard.........................0.030 to 0.057 mm ( 0.0012 to 0.0022 inch ) Limit........................0.14 mm ( 0.006 inch ) these different type manual's differ from pubisher to pubisher and can be very confusing to the average machanic ! That's why i call around from dealer to dealer for info and i get different answers most times from each dealer ! Now with the internet you can find anwser's on from most part's dearler's free of charge, if i can't find it there or if local dealers or closed i come here for help ! You're all great in my book, for sharing your time helping others with their question's and problem solving without expecting anything for your time and help ! That what i try to do myself to pay it forward when i can, thanks to each and everyone on these atv forum's and may GOD Bless you all........................williebee