Thread: Adjusting SBC Valves

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It's me again

Ok I am on the driver side with the engine running adjusting my 1.6 ratio roller tip rockers . I have one the is squrting oil all over the place. some are ozzing out. and a few have no oil at all.

I think we need more info -

What service did you perform if any?
Was oil circulating before?
Did you change the rockers?
Replace lifters?

Are the pushrod tubes clear?
If they are - squirt carburator cleaner down the tube in hopes of clearing a varnished /stuck lifter otherwise clean or install new lifters.

Bert

It was a complete engine rebuild. New piston rings, all bearings, new cam and lifters, new rockers, push rods were cleaned. I had a oil problem because of cam bearings so it came back out and got new cam main and rod bearings again.

i use rocker arm clips there are 16 one clip per rocker they
cover the hole that the oil squirts out or use old valve
covers with holes. back off rocker arm nut till it clatters
then tighten till it stops then go 1/2 turn no more

hey dotgone nice ride!

I went by the book and re tightened them. I had started to do what you said but the first rocker I did was so loose I couldn't hear it chatter. This is the first time I've adjusted roller tip rockers. Sounds different. I'll give it another go. I like the clips thing. I guess I can get these at my local Oreilly? Thanks for the tip!

just wanted to let you know,the clips work good if your fast
because the oil will eventually run down the side of the head
and on the headers and floor. the old valve covers work best

Clips help, but a cut up old valve cover works better. Using the clips and a cover works really well. I picked up a set of clips at O'reily.

Be careful and keep your engine speeds low. I hit the gas a bit too much the first time I used the clips and they went flying all over the garage.

Why are you adjusting the valves with it runing? Much easier and MUCH less messy to do it on a "still" engine. If you don't have the correct procedure let me know.

Ed

I did adjust them by the book, 3 times. but I still have a tapping. I now think I got a few bad lifters. And they were new.

Did the cam bearings take care of the oil pressure?
Ed

Yes they did. I have steady pressure. Still lower than I expected. 45psi. I'm putting new lifters in, in the morning. These are new, but no good. I also have a thread going about a crazy computer problem.

I doubt that your lifters are bad.
Ed

Do you think they are just not pressured up yet?

Did that for a little bit. It sounds a little better, still has a little ticking. I'll mess with these more after I get the computer problem fixed.

Thanks

Where did you get the procedure for adjusting the valves? The valves can be adjusted hot or cold with the engine not running and by cranking the engine two complete revolutions, while adjusting specific valves at TDC. If you have not done that let me know and I will get the procedure to you. You can guess at it all day long and still have a ticking.
Ed