Hi All,

I've searched and searched but still have a question about this procedure.
I have hydraulic lifters with adjustable rocker arms. I'm also running the crane 901 cam, not sure if that makes a difference in the adjusting procedure, as far as adjusting at TDC or not.

cam/lifters/arms/rods are all new.

Do I need to prime the hydraulic lifters before I adjust the rocker arms with the following procedure, or do I do it while they are still dry (though lubed externally)?

"Originally Posted by stephenw
Individually bring each piston up to its TDC on compression stroke, starting with #1, then tighten its two adjusters one at a time just until you can feel an increased resistance as you "twirl" the push rod. Then give the adjuster another 3/4 turn tighter. It takes a little experimenting until you gain confidence that you are at 0 clearance, but pretty easy otherwise. It obviously helps to mark your vibration damper at 90, 180, and 270 degrees ahead of time so you know when you are at the top, and you are simply following the engine firing order.
Steve"


thanks!
Jordan

 

I like to prime the lifters first. It doesn't make any difference really, but if you prime 'em you wont hear 5 minutes of lifter noise when you start the motor. That adjustment proceedure sounds about right. Basically you're taking the lash out of it then going 3/4 of a turn more. You could probably use a feeler gauge between the rocker tip and the valve stem to determine zero lash.

 

oh ok. I plan to prime the engine before starting so that will help alleviate the lifter noise at startup, least I hope.

I was just wondering because a pumped lifter will give a different adjustment than a empty lifter wouldn't it? I mean, if the lifter is primed then it will push the rod up farther so you'd have to back the adjustment off more than if it were not primed right? Or is it that even if it were primed, you should push the lifter down and bleed it before adjusting?

 

For the last 30 plus FE motor rebuilds I have set the lifter preload with dry lifters, cam lube on the face at TDC. With everything done I would run a distributor with drive gear teeth machined off to pre-oil for minimum of two minutes. During this time the crank is turned 45 degrees every 8 to 10 seconds. The dizzy is turned with a angle drive drill motor. Then add valve covers and breakin the cam. Instant oil press as well a smiles.

Carl....=o&o>....

 

Thanks carl, thats just what I had in mind to do.