Hi all,
My heads are on the way back from the machine shop. What's the best way to go about adjusting the valves on a '65 289?
Adjustable rockers with hydraulic lifters, I believe. The motor is stock as far as I know.
Thanks,

 

with the hydraulic lifters there really shouldnt be any adjustment neccesary. Just tighten em,. start the motor, losen til it rattle then tighten til it stops.

 

I realize that that's the way to go about it after everything is together and running, but can i do it like that when the rockers and pushrods have been removed? I hope so...or do I have to do each cylinder after running that cylinder to TDC?

 

Turn the engine over in about 90° increments and check for loose rockers. Just snug up the loose ones and you'll be close enough to fire it up to adjust them while running. If you want to get real fussy you could turn the engine so the lifter is on the base circle of the cam, just take the slack out and give it another 1/2 turn. The easiest way I've found to make sure you're on the base of the cam is pick a cylinder (I usually start with #1), bump the engine over until the exhaust valve just starts to move and set the intake. Then bump the engine over until the intake valve opens completely and just closes and set the exhaust. Then go to the next cylinder and do the same thing. I've found I don't miss any valves this way. Works great adjusting solid lifters.
When you're adjusting the valves with the engine not running, spin the pushrod with your fingers and you'll feel a slight resistance when the slack is removed. Then go the extra 3/8 to 1/2 turn. You may still be able to spin the pushrod depending on how tight the lifter is internally and if it bleeds down readily. When the lifters are new and haven't been pumped up there won't be a lot of resistance on the pushrod. Sometimes it takes a while.
Of course, if you have solid lifters and do this, it'll hold all the valves slightly open and you won't have any compression. Then you just use a feeler gauge for the correct valve lash.
Hope this helps.
Greg

 

I had some heads machined, and they came back with the same valve settings I took them in with...? I had them do a complete head cleaning and they did a complete valve grind.