what is the correct procedure?

i ask this because i think I may have them too tight...it may be my ears,,,but i think it sounds different

with each cylinder at TDC I basicly took the play out from between the rocker and the spring

it may be a coincidence, but now when i drive, it sounds different...

also while i was slowly rolling to a light and it turned green, i stomped on it and got some heavy knocking/pinging which it wasn't doing before i messed with the rockers...That couldn't be related???

the worst part is that i adjusted the rockers in the first place because i heard a clicking type noise for the last few weeks...it still does it so i think it's the speedo cable.

 

I would suggest stopping by a Barnes and Knoble type book store and pick up a copy of "Rebuilding Your Small Block Ford". One of the best books going.

Read and follow the section on adjusting the valves, then read through the whole book. It's really cool. You will learn a lot of valuable information, that will help you solve other issues.

Good luck,

 

That ticking sound could be an exhaust leak.

 

How would you find out if it was your exhaust makeing that noise? Because I have the same problem but havent had the time to work on it (I know I have an exhaust leak but I was sure that it was my lifters makeing that noise).

 

That ticking noise usually comes from your exhaust manifold. It's just a matter of listening and maybe even feeling the air coming out.
On your rockers, make sure #1 piston is TDC then adjust the number one rockers. Best I remember you will need about a 0.016 clearance. Then go to #5, then #4,2,6,3,7 and finally #8 making sure each cylinder is TDC before adjusting them.

 

If I remember correctly, isn't there a differense in adjustment depending on either solid or hydraulic (sp) lifters?
I believe the only way to tell is to pull the intake manifold off.

 

It's a pretty good assumption he has solid lifters unless he has changed the cam and now has hydraulic lifters. If he has hydraulic lifters there is no need to adjust them. They are self adjusting.

 

ACtually all of the 289's except HIPOS had hydrulic lifters. The hipos had solid.

 

yeah, i've been told that they are hydraulic lifters.

how do they self adjust?

how far down do i tighten the nuts? Should there be a small amount of play or none?

thanks for the help guys...

 

Take them down to zero lash, then back off between 1 to 2 turns. You will read from the 3/4 crowd, but don't listen to them. There are basically two ways to set them. One is with the car running and warmed up. With the cover off, set them just until they quit ticking. That is a very messy way to do it, but effective. I have even seen guys get an old valve cover and cut the top out of it, and put it on so they can get to the tappets. That way, the oil doesn't get all over the engine. The other way is to set them with the engine off but warmed up. Basically the same procedure as with a solid system, but using the 2 turn method instead of the 0.016 feeler gauge while the engine is cold with the solid lifter engines.