Thread: How do I set my valves

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I had to replace the heads on my 93 silverado. When we took the heads off, we also took off the rockers off to clean the heads. Now that we're putting the engine back together, the valves are offset, and I need to know how I can set them again.

Originally Posted by Ethan Blalock

I had to replace the heads on my 93 silverado. When we took the heads off, we also took off the rockers off to clean the heads. Now that we're putting the engine back together, the valves are offset, and I need to know how I can set them again.

Welcome to CHR, and hope you choose to stick around and be an active member. Here's a link to an article that one of the guys here, TechInspector1, authored that will get you back in good shape - http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...stment_SBC/BBC

We need a little more information. What motor is it, and what do you mean by "offset"? Are these new heads, or the old one rebuilt?

When I say offset, I mean that they are not set to the right. It's a 350. The heads were the heads that came on the truck, we had them machined.

There are a couple ways, some do this, some do that. I like this way:

New Lifters: Always turn the crankshaft in a clockwise direction.

For each cylinder, when an exhaust lifter starts to rise, adjust the intake valve, and when the intake lifter is almost down (from the full up position), adjust the exhaust valve.

The adjustment is this: obtain zero lash, then tighten the rocker nut an additional 1/2 to 1 turn. Zero Lash is taking the pushrod between you fingers moving it up and down. At zero lash, the pushrod will not move up and down between the lifter and rocker, and take care not to compress the lifter plunger.

Used Lifters need to be bled down, or you can use the "Oil Bath" method of adjusting the valves. Tighten nuts as before to remove most of the lash, start engine. Valves will clatter with excess lash, so adjust until clatter stops, then turn nut an additional 1/2 to 1 turn. When you are done, shower, and wash the car...

And don't rev it till the covers are back on.

Safety glasses are a good idea.