Thread: Adjust valves while running?

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Re: Small Block Chevy valve adjustment.

OK - I swore I wouldn't touch the motor till the suspension was done. BUT - there is an absolutely annoying valve tick that I can't stand anymore.

Seem like we used to adjust hydralics while running by loosening til tapping then tighten til quiet.

Or was it the other way around.
Probably not as the valve could hit the cylinder.

Or is this really a bad idea!

Thanks - Bert

http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...lve+adjustment

Yeah - that brought it all back.
But I didn't recall the bit about slowly bleeding the lifter.

Off to give it a try -

Well - that was a humbling experience!!
How far should you have to back off before tapping should occur?
I backed off a full turn and didn't hear any significant change.

Thanks
Bert

Originally posted by SBC

How far should you have to back off before tapping should occur?

I can't ansewer ya , but I'm sure theres some one smart'R then I here that can give ya a mathmatical formula to do it ...

" But I would keep going till it does "click" then start back down real slow ....... just use the "smarts" the G L gave ya , & don't looosen it so much ya take a push rod thru the skull and blame me "




T

Originally posted by SBC
Yeah - that brought it all back.
But I didn't recall the bit about slowly bleeding the lifter.

Off to give it a try -

Well - that was a humbling experience!!
How far should you have to back off before tapping should occur?
I backed off a full turn and didn't hear any significant change.

Thanks
Bert

Depends on how far off they are. If you have a Ford guy adjust your valves, he'll just run 'em all down tight and that don't work on a SBC, LOL. You may have to turn them quite a bit, don't worry, go slow and it will work. Once you get them to rattle tighten them just enough to quit the rattle, then add 1/4 to 1/2 turn. I have real good luck with a 1/4 turn. Get some oil stoppers too, save a ton of mess.

By the way, you will hear significant changes in sound. If you don't, you haven't gotten far enough backed off.

about your lifters back them off one at a time tell they rattle and then tighten until chatter is gone then 3/4 turn more . you can cut the tops of old valve cover out and put on while addj valves so oil wont run every where hope this help ya. gary

I do it same as Gary, only I go 1/2 turn. I cut the top off of some Edelbrock valave covers to bolt on while adjusting valves, keeps oil where it is supposed to be.