rocker arm adjustment
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Central Oregon
Tighten to 0 clearance + 3/4 turn further
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.
Another way is to do a combination of various cylinder intake/exhaust adjusters with fewer stops, I think the Steve Christ "Big Block" book gives you that, but my simple brain can wrap around them one at a time a lot easier.
Steve
Another way is to do a combination of various cylinder intake/exhaust adjusters with fewer stops, I think the Steve Christ "Big Block" book gives you that, but my simple brain can wrap around them one at a time a lot easier.
Steve
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 435
Likes: 1
From: Central Oregon
If they are left too loose, they will rattle, and, if loose enough cause a miss. If too tight, then you will have a miss because the valve can't close completely, and you could potentially bend a pushrod if they are way tight.
It sounds like you are really getting some in-depth "hands-on" experience with this engine. Good Luck. Steve
It sounds like you are really getting some in-depth "hands-on" experience with this engine. Good Luck. Steve
Hotshot
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,141
Likes: 25
From: south louisiana
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
Steve
but this is the way I do all mine, and so far, has never failed me once. Works well for solid lifters too, only difference is the way to set the lash with a feeler gauge.
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