how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

[1madgumby]

I was told 2 different ways to adjust the roller rockers. 1. get the lifter the lowest point on the cam lobe then finger tight the nut on the rocker until there is pressure were it is getting hard to turn. then tightin the nut down 1/2 to 1 full turn & that is it.2nd way is to tightin them down when the piston is at tdc of that cyl. then take A feller guage to check it. If it hard to pull out it is right if it does not pull out it is wrong. So with that said, can anyone shead some light on what way is the right way to adjust them. They are crane gold 1.5 3/8 stud mount, with guide plates.

Thanks!
Aj.

 

[JSM]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

I think you mis-understood. That technique is to turn the nut while spinning the pushrod until you feel drag, then go 1/2-3/4 turn.

On my motor my lifters are set different, but I used around a .004 feeler gauge, adjusted them like a solid lifter, then went the required (in your case) 1/2-3/4 turn. I found it easier to feel drag on feeler gauge then rotating of pushrod.

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

I was told 2 different ways to adjust the roller rockers. 1. get the lifter the lowest point on the cam lobe then finger tight the nut on the rocker until there is pressure were it is getting hard to turn. then tightin the nut down 1/2 to 1 full turn & that is it. 2nd way is to tightin them down when the piston is at tdc of that cyl. then take A feller guage to check it. If it hard to pull out it is right if it does not pull out it is wrong.

I have done it the first way and I have done it with the engine running. The 2nd way I am not sure how that would be done with a feeler gauge, but TDC is when both valve are close (or lowest point on the cam) The one issue I see with 1st way is the simple explaination of finding zero lash, its really when you tighten the rocker nut until you feel the first sign of resistance on the pushrod, you check the resistance on the push rod by spinning.

So with that said, can anyone shead some light on what way is the right way to adjust them. They are crane gold 1.5 3/8 stud mount, with guide plates.

If your using guides plate you need hardened push rods, also make sure you have non self aligning rockers, Self Aligning Rockersand Guides plate usually don't work well with each other.

 

[Foot Performance]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

The 2nd way I am not sure how that would be done with a feeler gauge.

I have used feeler guages before to set a solid lifter cam.



If you want to make sure the cam is on the back of the lobe bring the companion cylinder up to full lift

so with #1 intake at full lift set #3 intake

1-3
6-4
5-2
3-1
4-6
2-5


works on SBC too but I cant remeber the full spec when you have the one on full lift there is quite a bit of turn(with the crank) to keep it on the back side of the cam so no lift is put on the lifter

not 100% sure if it work with the 4.3 but I have set tons of race cars like this

 

[Syclone'D916]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

I have Crane silver 1.6 rollers.With the cam lope down,I went zero lash when 1 full turn tight.

 

[Maaso]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

Just like you would a regular rocker.....

 

[1madgumby]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

I thought I was doing it the right way, just want to ask. My buddy is going to come over & help me when it comes time. He has A 8.00 @ 175 mustang, & I have know him for years.. Thanks!!!!!

Aj.

 

[ghettosled]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

first you got to get all the nuts finger tight, so when you turn the motor over the springs move.. it helps to have the lifters pumped up with oil to get a good reading.

when the intake valve starts to close (spring is starting to expand) adjust the exhaust by turning the nut till there is tension on the pushrod and go 1/2 turn. Then keep turning motor over, when the exhaut starts to open (spring starts to compress) do the same on the intake valve.

 

[Richard Le]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

adjust the exhaust by turning the nut till there is tension on the pushrod and go 1/2 turn.

So 1/2 turn applies to stock valvetrain? The service manual calls for one full turn, but it was impossible for my mechanic to turn the nut one full turn after zero lash (I was there watching him). We decided to go with 1/2 turn for all valves on a stock Sy engine. I hope that's OK.

 

[cloneman315]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

everyone has there own advice on the turns,some use 1/4 1/2 3/4 etc etc

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

So 1/2 turn applies to stock valvetrain? The service manual calls for one full turn, but it was impossible for my mechanic to turn the nut one full turn after zero lash (I was there watching him). We decided to go with 1/2 turn for all valves on a stock Sy engine.

I adjusted mine to 1/2 on stock valvetrain. However what concerns me is you dould do a full turn past zero lash. Maybe you have different clearance than I use to but I have never had that problem, it make me wonder if you mechanic is truely finding zero lash. are you using new lifters or maybe they aren't pumped all the way up (your suspose to soak them usually 24 hours in oil before using new ones)

 

[JSM]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

I adjusted mine to 1/2 on stock valvetrain. However what concerns me is you dould do a full turn past zero lash. Maybe you have different clearance than I use to but I have never had that problem, it make me wonder if you mechanic is truely finding zero lash. are you using new lifters or maybe they aren't pumped all the way up (your suspose to soak them usually 24 hours in oil before using new ones)

His mechanic was my dad. :tup:

Engine fired up great when we installed it and so far its running like a champ. With that said his valvetrain isn't 100% stock but not far from it. I have never gone a full turn on anything, 1/2 is what I do.

 

[Richard Le]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

We are using existing stock lifters. We manually turn the adjusting nut by hand while turning the pushrod at the same time until there is a slight resistance in the pushrod. Then we crank the nut down 1/2 turn after that. There is no room to crank the nut down any more than 1/2 turn.

 

[Richard Le]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

Jeff, this is on my stock Sy engine, not the new engine in the Ty (which is running sweet by the way).

 

[JSM]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

too many trucks...your going to drive me nuts...o wait I am already nuts.

 

[Richard Le]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

I'm having the valve stem seals replaced in the Sy engine because sometimes the engine would puff blue smoke at first startup in the morning (it has 66k miles on it). The new valve stem seals are in, and we are in the process of re-adjusting the valves. We tried to do it by the book, but one full turn was impossible to achieve.

 

[JSM]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

1/4 turn is my preference. Never have done a full turn on anything.

 

[Richard Le]

Re: how to adjust roller rocker the right way!

I found a pretty good article: How to Adjust Your Chevy Valve Lash

Here is a quote from it:

The factory setting on a Chevy lifter pre-load is ¾ to 1 turn lifter preload with the lifter on the low side of the cam (valve closed). This eliminates valvetrain maintenance for at least 100,000 miles, and is a good compromise setting. However, it can allow the valves to float at rpms as low as 5700. This, effectively, becomes a factory-installed rev limiter: if they can make the valves float lightly around 6000 rpm, GM can reduce warranty claims from customers over-revving their engines. Hey… these boys and girls designing this stuff in Detroit aren’t dummies, are they?

So for a performance application, we split the difference. A ½ turn lifter pre-load will raise the rpm limit of the engine, yet it will still provide quite a bit of plunger travel so the lifter can do its valvetrain wear adjustment thing.. It will also keep the plunger away from the snap ring retainer, and it will keep our operation safe. Safe, reliable, improved performance and good durability/life: what more could you ask for?