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View Full Version : help adjusting rockers & lifter question



JoeliusZ28
11-17-2008, 09:17 PM
alright i apologize i am kinda asking the same question again (from this thread: http://ltxtech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1433) but I REALLY want to make sure i do this right.

First Question:
When adjusting the rockers via the engine-running method, what is the starting point for measuring the ammount of pre-load?

Having never done this before I had assumed that lifter rattle would go away at the same point as "zero lash" and that didnt happen. The rattle didnt go away until about half a turn past the point i needed pressure to turn the rocker bolt. My friend says to pre-load past the point that you stop hearing noise. Is this correct or is zero-lash correct? What made me further unsure is that the sound of the lifter wasnt a fine-line adjustment like i thought it would be.


Second Question:
How can i tell if I have a collapsed lifter?

I originally adjusted my rockers 1/6 turn past zero lash and drove it that way for about 1000 miles. The "sewing machine" noise seemed to increase over that time, but it never got to the point it sounded like a problem. (it was quiet at first).

The car has been in storage for 2 months and when i started it this weekend i immediately noticed a pretty substantial rocker knock on the driver side. Im not 100% positive but it seemed as though the front two rockers had substantial slack, however the locks were still tight. That being said... just about every rocker seems slightly loose, but not as bad as these ones were. It definitely wasnt like this when i parked it, does the cold have an effect on lifter bleeddown? our pole barn was probably about 50 degrees on the inside.

Tony Shepherd
11-18-2008, 10:03 AM
What rockers and lifters do you have?

JoeliusZ28
11-18-2008, 11:33 AM
sorry i should have mentioned that.

comp NSA pro-mag 1.6 rockers and the original lifters.

Tony Shepherd
11-18-2008, 11:48 AM
First off loosen up the poly locks (not the nuts).

With engine idling you should back off the rocker until it starts clacking. At that point tighten until the noise is gone. After that tighten 1/8 turn more. Tighten the center poly lock and move onto the next one.

If you do this and still have problems your lifters must be bad.

JoeliusZ28
11-18-2008, 12:10 PM
ok sounds good. is it normal for the noise to go away nearly 1/2 turn past zero lash though?

Tony Shepherd
11-18-2008, 12:40 PM
ok sounds good. is it normal for the noise to go away nearly 1/2 turn past zero lash though?

You can go a tad bit past 1/2 turn if needed on stock lifters.

JoeliusZ28
11-18-2008, 12:58 PM
alright thank you!!

Ill be giving it a shot next time i visit my parents.

bowtiekid
11-19-2008, 12:40 AM
I wouldnt do 1/8 turn on stock lifters. Go with ATLEAST 1/4 or 1/2 turn

JoeliusZ28
11-20-2008, 12:27 AM
I wouldnt do 1/8 turn on stock lifters. Go with ATLEAST 1/4 or 1/2 turn
he is saying 1/8 turn past the point of no noise though which is about 5/8 of a turn past zero lash (at least on my car).

Tyler Wheat
11-20-2008, 01:17 AM
he is saying 1/8 turn past the point of no noise though which is about 5/8 of a turn past zero lash (at least on my car).

Just a hair 1/2 past zero lash seems to perfect for mine. I never set them while the car was running. I set them a few times between 1/4 and 1/2. Had some get looser than others, which made me uncomfortable. Just a bit past 1/2 seems to set them pretty good for me.

JoeliusZ28
11-20-2008, 03:13 PM
awesome thanks!

solga 511
11-21-2008, 12:29 AM
Just a hair 1/2 past zero lash seems to perfect for mine. I never set them while the car was running. I set them a few times between 1/4 and 1/2. Had some get looser than others, which made me uncomfortable. Just a bit past 1/2 seems to set them pretty good for me.
X2 I don't ever set my rockers while running any more. I use the "spin the pushrod til resistance" method, and have never had a problem. Although, I do give it about a week of driving and pull the valve covers to re-check all the settings.