Adjusting Valves
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1st Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 94
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Adjusting Valves
It's me again, trying to learn something new...
During my 289 rebuild, I replaced the stock cam with a Edelbrock Performer RPM cam. When putting the rocker arms back, the directions had me (at TDC) tighten down the rockers to right where all movement of the rocker stopped and then back up 1/4 turn (hydrauliclifters).
However, once I got the engine back in the car and got it cranked up, the valves were rattling like mad. I went to my Hayes manual which had me warm up the engine and then, at TDC on each cylinder, adjust the rockers, using a feeler gauge, by leaving a gap between the range of .082 to .152 inches. I set each at .090 inches and put it all back together.
The valve rattling is smoother now (like they're all rattling about the same), but is still rattling. My problem is that I don't know, at this point, if I have em too loose or too tight.
I would try to adjust them with the car running and the valve covers off, by sound, but I have a high pressure oil pump on it and figure I'll have oil shooting all over creation if I try it.
So, was wondering if anyone has run into this and remember what size of gap they had to use.
Thanks...
During my 289 rebuild, I replaced the stock cam with a Edelbrock Performer RPM cam. When putting the rocker arms back, the directions had me (at TDC) tighten down the rockers to right where all movement of the rocker stopped and then back up 1/4 turn (hydrauliclifters).
However, once I got the engine back in the car and got it cranked up, the valves were rattling like mad. I went to my Hayes manual which had me warm up the engine and then, at TDC on each cylinder, adjust the rockers, using a feeler gauge, by leaving a gap between the range of .082 to .152 inches. I set each at .090 inches and put it all back together.
The valve rattling is smoother now (like they're all rattling about the same), but is still rattling. My problem is that I don't know, at this point, if I have em too loose or too tight.
I would try to adjust them with the car running and the valve covers off, by sound, but I have a high pressure oil pump on it and figure I'll have oil shooting all over creation if I try it.
So, was wondering if anyone has run into this and remember what size of gap they had to use.
Thanks...
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 790
From:
RE: Adjusting Valves
.090 thou between the rocker tip and the valve? that seems like WAY to much. I have roller rockers, and tighten then down to the valve till i cant move the rocker back and fourth, then backed it off a 1/4 turn. if i tigthened them past tight, i couldnt get the car to idle( valves never closed) .090 between the tip and the valve is WAY to much, mines at about .003-.005 -Jon
5th Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,287
From: North Fulton, GA
RE: Adjusting Valves
Stupid question, you're not adjusting all the valves with the crank at TDC are you? For each cylinder you have to make sure that the valves are supposed to be closed before adjusting them (i.e. you have to crank the engine over to several different positions).
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 94
From:
RE: Adjusting Valves
Stupid question? Might be. Anyway, yes, I was meaning going to the top of the compression stroke and adjust, on EACH individual cylinder. I was just saving sometyping and thought the question made sense.
Thanks Yonco, I believe I'll go that direction and tight em down some and try it again.
Thanks Yonco, I believe I'll go that direction and tight em down some and try it again.
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Joined: Oct 2004
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