Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

adjustable rocker arms

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 3, 2017 | 03:28 PM
  #1  
Cman8469's Avatar
Cman8469
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
adjustable rocker arms

I've searched this and looked at the threads on this. I know adjustable rocker arms were made for a solid lifter setup back in the day. I have some questions on this subject , I have a new 360 rebuild with lifter tapping. I had the 9.621 rods in with tap , I put the next size up according to ford specs 9.77 and it wont turn over .
Can you put adjustable rockers on hydraulic lifters?
 
Reply
Old Jan 3, 2017 | 08:08 PM
  #2  
PA74F250's Avatar
PA74F250
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,099
Likes: 8
From: York, Pa
You can but shouldn't need to, it sounds like a bad lifter to me. To buy a decent set of adjustable rocker arms you'll be shocked.
 
Reply
Old Jan 5, 2017 | 07:40 AM
  #3  
F-250 WARHORSE's Avatar
F-250 WARHORSE
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 118
From: starship enterprise
I had one do this. swore up and down it was lifter. Turned out to be bad valve guide. Took about 3 rockers and about 7 pushrods to find it.
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2020 | 08:32 AM
  #4  
JDR83's Avatar
JDR83
New User
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Thank you Everyone! Everything is Torqued down to Spec. Looks like it would be bad lifters. Larger rebuild down the road I think with the engine out.
 
Reply
Old May 13, 2020 | 09:05 AM
  #5  
440 sixpack's Avatar
440 sixpack
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,910
Likes: 2,373
Adjustables are nice but like has been said they're expensive and not needed.

If your lifters are old more than likely that's your problem . but what do you mean by you can't turn it over ? you made a HUGE jump in length that I doubt is a good idea but if it actually won't turn over get them out now.

The only way to do it right, assuming your lifters and heads are good it to use a length checker rod. get on the base circle and get the rod adjusted until you just feel resistance when you twist it. then add your preload and this is the length you need and unless you're real lucky it will be a custom length. I use Smith brothers they're fast and do a great job. well and they're 20 miles away.

Of course if you do plan on rebuilding it in the near future this would be a waste because you'll need to buy another set.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2020 | 01:48 PM
  #6  
blackelim's Avatar
blackelim
Cross-Country
10 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 85
Likes: 9
From: san diego, california
Originally Posted by F-250 WARHORSE
I had one do this. swore up and down it was lifter. Turned out to be bad valve guide. Took about 3 rockers and about 7 pushrods to find it.
I am having lifter noise also. About 4000 miles on a rebuilt 390. I had an extra set of adjustable rockers so I installed the to see if I had a lifter problem. No real change.
Could you elaborate on what your symptoms were and how you found the problem? How about some pictures of the bad valve guide?
mine seems to make noise on a warming up motor at 65 mph and the gets quiter as it reaches operating temp.
Thanks
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2020 | 04:16 PM
  #7  
Christmas's Avatar
Christmas
Logistics Pro
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 444
I do believe the lifter stands are shorter for the stock adjustable rockers and the ratio is different. If you don't have the high rise heads you can't use them.
 
Reply
Old May 14, 2020 | 08:43 PM
  #8  
blackelim's Avatar
blackelim
Cross-Country
10 Year Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 85
Likes: 9
From: san diego, california
I have used the adjustable rockers before. Since they require different style pushrods I don't think the height of the stand is as critical or they are designed to be correct with the different length pushrods. I also believe the ratio is a little different, more lift with the same cam
1.73 to 1 I think
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 14, 2020 | 09:50 PM
  #9  
440 sixpack's Avatar
440 sixpack
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,910
Likes: 2,373
The push rod length on adjustables isn't as critical but it has to be close enough to maintain the correct geometry.
 
Reply
Old May 17, 2020 | 08:42 PM
  #10  
F-250 WARHORSE's Avatar
F-250 WARHORSE
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,364
Likes: 118
From: starship enterprise
just noise and when I grab the valves they should be tight, but if one is looser than it should be, then go after the guide.
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2020 | 12:55 AM
  #11  
1TonBasecamp's Avatar
1TonBasecamp
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,619
Likes: 1,186
From: San Jose, CA
For some reason in recent years I keep reading about rebuilt Ford engines and bent pushrods. Subject comes up more than it should.
With a ticking lifter in a recent rebuild I'd first check for loose or broken components up top. Sounds like you did take yours apart a bit to install the new pushrods (this is never a guessing game! It's a measuring game) but did you check for the usual suspects while in there?
Those are:
1. Bent pushrod
2. Broken spring
3. Rocker stud pulling out (if yours has studs. If it's bolts then this is not an issue.)
4. Loose guides. (should not be an issue with only 4,000 miles, but if the geometry is wrong it could happen)

If none of those, it could just be a stuck or gummed up lifter. I know a lot won't agree with this, but when I first hear a light tick from a lifter my go-to first step is to add a cleaner additive to the oil to see if it will clear up the ticking.
If it does not, then I go to Plan-B which is to open it back up and check.

Of course, even before any of that I would have a stethoscope out and verify PRECISELY where the noise is coming from. This way you know where to look.
And it would be a shame to find out it's an exhaust leak or a loose spark plug making the noise all this time!

Good luck.

Paul
 
Reply
Old May 18, 2020 | 12:57 AM
  #12  
1TonBasecamp's Avatar
1TonBasecamp
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 9,619
Likes: 1,186
From: San Jose, CA
I just had another horrible thought...
If this is a recently rebuilt engine, did you perform the proper cam break-in procedure (if a flat-tappet cam that is) AND are you still using a proper high-ZDDP motor oil in it to protect the cam?
I hope so, because this is another scenario where a valvetrain component can start making noise.

Paul
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
73 fourxfour
335 Series- 5.8/351M, 6.6/400, 351 Cleveland
38
Feb 20, 2011 02:55 PM
71FoMoCo
FE & FT Big Block V8 (332, 352, 360, 390, 406, 410, 427, 428)
1
Mar 1, 2010 12:16 PM
C-Leigh Racing
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
28
Jan 10, 2009 10:07 AM
MustangGT221
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
3
Apr 20, 2002 04:04 PM
haulertre
Ford Inline Six, 200, 250, 4.9L / 300
7
Nov 18, 2001 07:44 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:47 AM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE