rocker help

[79malibu350]

Ok, so i replaced the lifters in my malibu recently and figured when i tightened the valves i would have to do it again after driving a couple times. well, ive tried about three times. and somewhere on the drivers side im still getting some tick. One push rod was chewed up on the end but the others all looked ok, what do you guys think could be causing the rockers to start rattling again about 15 seconds after i start the car? bent push rod? did i not get the rocker seated right? someone give me some advice before start shutting the door on my head. :x

 

[MD13ailey]

hydrolic or solid lifters?

 

[jrm81bu]

Screw in or pressed in studs? And how tight did you set them?

 

[billyjack]

What is your process for adjusting the valves? I know it's messy, but setting hydraulic lifters with the engine running has always been the best for me.

Bill

 

[79malibu350]

hydraulic lifters, press in studs, and I'm actually thinking now i may have overtightened them? my future brother in law said they will make noise if too tight? i dunno, ive always heard the engine would start missing but maybe their not that tight? The guy that built the motor talked me through his method of tightening them, but at this point im going the messy route and doing it with the valve cover off and the motor running. My plan for tomorrow is to loosen each one up until it starts to rattle, tighten it back then move on down the line. I really think i might have gone a little too far somewhere. 😳

 

[canadiantbone]

as long as you don't have a radical cam , find top dead center by removing all the spark plugs & turning the engine over bu hand & have a buddy put his finger over #1 spark plug hole . loosen the rockers off till they are loose . start tightening untill you feel friction on the pushrod ( while turning it back & forth) tighten another 1/2 a turn . Then adjust the exhaust the same way. Use the firing order to your adavntage adjust 1 & 6 then 8 @ 5 , then 4 & 7 , then 3 & 2 . Hope this helps you out .

 

[jrm81bu]

hydraulic lifters, press in studs, and I'm actually thinking now i may have overtightened them? my future brother in law said they will make noise if too tight? i dunno, ive always heard the engine would start missing but maybe their not that tight? The guy that built the motor talked me through his method of tightening them, but at this point im going the messy route and doing it with the valve cover off and the motor running. My plan for tomorrow is to loosen each one up until it starts to rattle, tighten it back then move on down the line. I really think i might have gone a little too far somewhere. 😳

It's possible that the studs are pulling out especially if you overtightened them. That would explain why when you set them they sound ok for a bit, then the stud pulls a lil more, then you get a tick again.

 

[pontiacgp]

Heres the method I use to adjust the valves..

Get #1 to Top Dead Center

Exh.- 1 – 3 – 4 -8
Int.- 1- 2 – 5 - 7

Get #6 to Top Dead Center

Exh.- 2 – 5 – 6 – 7
Int.- 3 – 4- 6 - 8

Adjust until pushrod will not spin between fingers and then add ¼ turn and tighten poly lock.

You will only turn the engine 2 times. TDC #1 and TDC #6

 

[chevy2480]

It is possible you have a bad lobe on cam. If you over tighten a lifters it will not even start due to valves hanging open and it wont make any noise. A loose rocker makes noise. I would bet its time for a cam change.

 

[jacobdavis1979]

Well make sure u take a good look at all ur pushrods even the smallest bends could cause it. when i check pushrods i roll them on the table to see if they stay flat the hole time i roll them. and my method for tighting the rockers down which has worked each time ive done it is turn the motor over untill the lifters for lets say the number one cylinder are down as soon as there down put ur rockers on and hold up the rocker away from the valve tip and tightin it down untill it just barley touches the tip of the valve thats ur 0 lash then tightin it down another half turn. then do the rest of them the same way. if u wanna get it done really fast then go the direction of the firing order like on a 350 once u finish number one then the intake lifter for number 8 should be up so turn the motor till its down and ur good to go and finish in that order