How do I adjust my rocker arms?

Turn your motor over until your exhaust rocker just starts to press down on the valve spring, that is when you will adjust your intake valve for that cylinder. Spin your pushrod while slowly tightening the nut on the rocker. Do not over tighten it. Stop when you just start to get resistance on the pushrod.

How is valve clearance set on the rocker arms?

When the exhaust valve just begins to open on the first cylinder in the firing order, adjust the intake valve by loosening the adjusting nut slightly while spinning the pushrod until you feel lash in the rocker arm. When all of the intake valves have been set to the proper valve lash, you can adjust the exhaust valves.

How long does it take to replace a rocker arm?

As soon as all of the rocker arms are set up, the throttle cable bracket, throttle body, trigger plugs, and engine’s air cleaner assembly will all be set up in reverse order. For a skilled mechanic, the whole task shouldn’t take more than 2 to 3 hours.

How do you adjust the rocker arms on a 351 Cleveland?

Valve-lash adjustment begins at cylinder number-1 with both valves just closed. Twirl the pushrod with your fingertips while slowly tightening the rocker adjustment until there is slight resistance. Slowly tighten the adjustment clockwise 1/4- to 1/2-turn. Lock the adjustment down.

How tight should rocker arms be?

The bolts should be tightened with a torque wrench to 124 inch-pounds, then tightened an additional 30 degrees of clockwise rotation. The most likely cause for the loose rocker arm bolts in your engine is either inadequate tightening originally, or an effort to adjust the rocker arms at some point in the engine’s life.

How do you check lifter preload?

To check lifter preload, that valve has to be on the base circle of the lobe (arrow). The base circle is the round portion of the lobe. Performance camshafts often increase lobe lift by reducing the diameter of the base circle. A reduction in base circle on an LS engine reduces the lifter preload by the same amount.

How tight should a rocker arm be?

The pushrod should get tight when you start to compress the lifter. Then if you go 1/2 to a full turn, you and see how much the lifter depresses. Eyeball it to make sure they all depress about the same amount, roughly 1/3 to 1/2 the travel. At least that’s the way I’ve always done it, and never had any problems.

When should I adjust my valves?

When do I need to have a valve adjustment? You should have your valve lash inspected at manufacturers recommended intervals. A sure sign that it’s time for a valve lash adjustment is if your engine is making a loud clicking or tapping noise when starting up or if you experience a loss in engine power.