Thread: Valve adjusting

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Hokay.
I am going to replace the rockers and pushrods. I have my project van with 383/350.
I am facing the issue of being inside the van, and turning the crank to get the backside of the lobe. No biggee with an engine with the hood on top. With a van, it gets inconvient.
I figuire, I will use an 1/2" breaker bar with the socket to turn the crank. What size is the balancer bolt? I am not worried about losing torque as it takes an impact wrench to loosen and tighten.
I have done this before, but, I am looking for a refresher course.
What is the best way to determine the backside of the lobe from the top of the head, with someone else turning?
My thought is to remove the cap, look for the individual cylinder centering and "feel" the pushrod.
My fair bride is going to be doing the turning, or, maybe, the centering.
I think it is going to be interesting, but, We will overcome! I think it is going to be good for her in the long run. She is the primary driver of the van and I built the engine to replace the one she ran out of oil.
It really acts like a 400, but, she is really intimidated by it. I love it, not her reaction, but, just the raw power of the engine. Unfortunately, she had to endure vaccum leaks, some mismatched parts, unbalanced jets, and breaking in the engine.
The van and her have come a long way. She even knows oil goes into the engine on occasion.
The van is a G20 conversion, long frame. It has a TH350, extra clutch plates, shift kit, 273 posi rear, dual headers, dual pipes with siamese crossover, all poly bushings, link ends, and engine mounts. 255/70R15 all around, with complete jewelery repair shop inside, including facilities for casting.
Sure could use some insight to guide her as painlessly as possible. The rocker change is easy for me, but I really want her to be part of it and have an enjoyable experience.

"Sure could use some insight to guide her as painlessly as possible. The rocker change is easy for me, but I really want her to be part of it and have an enjoyable experience."

If you really want her to have an enjoyable experience, give her your credit card and send her to the mall. Then call up one of your buddies and have him bring a couple of 6-packs with him to help you.

I have considered that, however, she is the primary driver! She is so afraid of the engine that she shakes at the thought of it. My wife is a jeweler, and the same issues with her jewelery tool useage, plague her with everything else.
I am going to adjust the rockers, and install them, plus do the dirty work. She is going to "see", turn the crank, and be shown how to "feel" the pushrod tension. I want to be able to show her how to align the piston and cam, what the engine does, how it works at that end, and in general what the whole thing is.
I still have to find out what size the nut is on the balancer end, and get a socket.
I am kinda looking forward to this.
I cut her ruby for her engagement ring, and had her pick out the shank, setting, diamonds. I then had her size the shank, add the setting, then set the ruby. She made a good ring. Her tool useage hinders her so she has to work harder to ordinary repairs, and creating. Every chance I get, I try to get her hands on with everything.