after putting about 500 miles on my newly rebuild 283, I found last night that a few of my my rockers are clanking . I need to go back in and adjust the rocker arms. Problem is, if my memory serves me correctly this is a messy job done with the motor running. After spending countless hours detailing the engine when it came back from the rebuilder and many more on the fender skirts and engine compartment, I don't want to damage the fender skirts, exhaust manifolds, etc. with hot oil running all over the place. I don't have the clips for the rockers they talk about in the service manual. As a kid We used to just cover the rockers with a shop rag while adjusting valves! Most local mechanics tell me to just have at it! They just don't understand my concerns about the hot oil and the staining I just know will occur. SO.....what method do you guys use? I read my 56 Bel Air service manual about doing the job with the motor off and rotating the engine and adjusting the appropriate valves, but this too must be done with the motor at operating temps, and I am afraid that when I remove the valve covers the oil will run over onto my newly restored (hot) exhaust manifolds! HELP!!!!
-
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers
Don - personally, I would perform the hot engine, remove covers, and adjust manually rotating the engine method. They do make clips to control oil flow for setting lash while running, but I would guess there will still be some spray. Use Dukes setting process, he has posted it here before. No way to set the valves with taking the covers off obviously......I don't think you will get much runoff on the exhaust manifolds after a few minutes of drain down.....Craig -
Re: best way to adjust rockers
Don - personally, I would perform the hot engine, remove covers, and adjust manually rotating the engine method. They do make clips to control oil flow for setting lash while running, but I would guess there will still be some spray. Use Dukes setting process, he has posted it here before. No way to set the valves with taking the covers off obviously......I don't think you will get much runoff on the exhaust manifolds after a few minutes of drain down.....CraigComment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers- correction
Meant to say "without taking the covers off" not "with taking the covers off" I wish we had an edit function on posts to avoid correction posting....CraigComment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers- correction
Meant to say "without taking the covers off" not "with taking the covers off" I wish we had an edit function on posts to avoid correction posting....CraigComment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers
Don -
Which engine, what cam - solid or hydraulic?Comment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers
Don -
Which engine, what cam - solid or hydraulic?Comment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers
Don,
I like adjusting the hydraulics on my 77 with the engine running. To keep it from being messy, I took an old valve cover and cut a 1 inch slot the entire length of the cover with a pair of tin snips (after drilling a pilot hole). The slot aligns with the rocker adjustment nuts. Just pull the cover off of one side, install the modified cover, and adjust to your heart's content. When you're happy, change sides and you're done. Now if they're solids - I only adjust my 56 lifters with the engine warm and shut off. Good luck, SteveComment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers
Don,
I like adjusting the hydraulics on my 77 with the engine running. To keep it from being messy, I took an old valve cover and cut a 1 inch slot the entire length of the cover with a pair of tin snips (after drilling a pilot hole). The slot aligns with the rocker adjustment nuts. Just pull the cover off of one side, install the modified cover, and adjust to your heart's content. When you're happy, change sides and you're done. Now if they're solids - I only adjust my 56 lifters with the engine warm and shut off. Good luck, SteveComment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers
John and all, the engine is a 283 230 hp hydraulic lifter. While sitting in my office today I had the bright idea of taking an old pair of M/T alum. valve covers that I have in the shop and cutting off the tops, installing them on the engine and covering the newly created open top with sheet metal bent over to cover the rocker arms.I would then warm the engine and while still running, remove the sheet metal and cover the rockers with shop rags while I adjusted them one by one. After reading the prior post I have decided against applying for A patent! Thank you all for the great information!
DonComment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers
John and all, the engine is a 283 230 hp hydraulic lifter. While sitting in my office today I had the bright idea of taking an old pair of M/T alum. valve covers that I have in the shop and cutting off the tops, installing them on the engine and covering the newly created open top with sheet metal bent over to cover the rocker arms.I would then warm the engine and while still running, remove the sheet metal and cover the rockers with shop rags while I adjusted them one by one. After reading the prior post I have decided against applying for A patent! Thank you all for the great information!
DonComment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers
The clips may be available from Auto Zone, O'Rileys, or Advance Auto. The M/T valve covers may be worth a few dollars on e-bay.Comment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers
The clips may be available from Auto Zone, O'Rileys, or Advance Auto. The M/T valve covers may be worth a few dollars on e-bay.Comment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers
Aluminum foil folded double and wrapper around the end of the rocker will be a suitable subsitute for the clips and shop ragsComment
-
Re: best way to adjust rockers
Aluminum foil folded double and wrapper around the end of the rocker will be a suitable subsitute for the clips and shop ragsComment
Comment