I know its been beaten to death but bear with me...Adjusting Valvetrain

[go-stang5.0]

I'm looking at FTI's website and they have directions for adjusting the valvetrain (which I assume are for stud mount stuff since no shims are ever mentioned in there), if someone could verify this for me that would be nice. Also, the reason I am adjusting the valve train is because I am hearing an abnormal ticking from the passenger side VC. I am paranoid of broken valve springs as thats how the old motor blew up. But no broken springs (thank god). However I still dont know what the problem is. I hear about 3-4 ticks every couple of seconds at idle and as the rpms pick up it seems to go away or the sound gets drowned out by the exhaust and the rest of the valve train noise. Either way, it does not get noticably louder with rpms, I pretty much just hear/make it out it at idle. Anyone have any idea as to waht this might be and what I could do about it. Also, how do you guyz turn an assembled motor in the car w/ tranny (5-spd) to adjust the valvetrain. I was thinking about using the starter but I think it would turn the motor over too fast to get the valves slightly open to adjust them, etc. Oh also turning the motor clockwise is mentioned in FTI's directions...Do they mean clockwise from the front of the motor or the flywheel side?

Also, I noticed on the passenger side rockers that 7 of 8 of the rockers turn slightly clockwise/counterclockwise when looking at the head from the top. Are they supposed to have this sideways slop? One of the rockers does not move sideways like the others? Also there is no slop between any of the pushrods, rockers, or valves so the rockers dont "rock" freely at all due to play. Hope this helps describe the problem. Havent had time to check the drivers side yet but hopefully tomorrow.

Sorry this is so long...if you have answers to any of these questions feel free to chime in, especially with the noise issue. -Thank you for the help guyz.

 

[1105]

Yes the directions on FTI's site are for stud mount rockers. I use a wrench and turn the crank over in a clockwise motion if your standing infront of the car. All of my rockers have back and forth slack in them when theres no pressure put on them and they are all slightly angled.

When I orginally did my rockers, I tightned them down until they would not move after it opens and closes the valve... result, no compression and I could have possible bent my valves if they would have hit the head.. Thank god that didnt happen. Hope some of this helps...

 

[go-stang5.0]

Thanks for the help....Anyone know what my ticking problem could be? Keep the info coming.

 

[wytstang]

It could be a ticking come from your plug wires maybe one is loose. This has happened to me before and no you may not feel a miss it was loose enough to tick but not loose enough to cause a miss.

 

[HoofnIt]

I bought an automotive stethescope from Sears. Place the end of the probe along the valve cover stopping at various spots to hear which one is making the noise. I could be the rocker arm or you could also have a noisy lifter.

I have had to adjust my stud-mounted rockers 3 times on the passenger side. You can take a socket and a long ratchet to turn the motor over. Make sure your lifters are primed prior to adjusting them.

 

[go-stang5.0]

I'm sure its not a plug wire. As for priming the lifters before adjustment how would I do this. Also, if I had a collapsed lifter than would I feel any slack in the pushrod?

 

[go-stang5.0]

BTW if it helps with diagnosis, this happend after some hot laps around a community college parking lot. The engine was constantly over 3k rpms but never reved past 6k rpms (all in 2nd and 3rd gears). There was about 10 min. straight of this type of driving with lots of heel and toe downshifting so the motor was changing revs quickly. I pretty much quit after my stomach started hurting (feeling a bit sick) and thats when I noticed the noise. Oh, man I gotta get used to this kinda stuff if I want to road course this car next year. Would not be cool if I was puking out of the window on the straightaways couse the courses made me sick.

Anyways would a collapsed lifter make noise through the entire rpm range? Also, would it get noticably louder w/ rpms?

 

[RIO5.0]

Hot lapping would definately make things sound off or loosen, especially if you just recently did em....sounds like you ran em thru the motions for sure..
I was hot lapping once like that and ended up spinning a rod bearing from oil starvation.... , wasnt my Mustang though...that little mistake cost me a motor...
What are you running for rockers??? I have done mine, pedestals, no less than 6 times over...there not as quiet as the stockers...when the revs come up they sound perfect though...sounds like your ok this way too??? Its almost a trade-off for running RRs....although mine sound loose...I have yet to find a loose rocker when i have the VCs off....
If you get the motor warm...tear off the upper, bout 1/2 hr to get it down the the VCS, they'll be primed for sure....make sure you do as Ed says and undo as your working each valve...don't loosen them all first...I have Peds so I really can't do Eds method...I may swap over to studs this Winter though...

 

[Numbles]

TTT for ya Robin