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roller rocker adjustment ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 90stang5speed
  • Start date Start date May 15, 2010
9

90stang5speed

Member
Jan 19, 2009
582
2
19
Columbus Ga
May 15, 2010
#1
  • May 15, 2010
  • #1
just rebuilt my engine. now that Im over 500 miles on it I thought I would do a few high rmp runs. when i installed the 185 AFR heads & new roller rockers, the instructions on the rockers said to tighten the nut down until there was no slack then go 1/2 to 1 turn more. i noticed that when doing this. on some of the lifters, the plunger would be depressed by the additional turn but others did not. i soaked the lifters for about a week befor installing them. they are factory original lifters also. once the engine was back in the car and running, it sounded like the rockers were tapping. I pulled the valve covers and found that the rockers had quite a bit of play in them. I loosened the lock bolt and tightened the nut with my fingers until there was no play and gave another 1/2 turn with a wrench. after doing all the rockers like this i rechecked the first one and it was sloppy again. is this normal? at about 6000 the engine seems like it hit the rev limiter but it is set at 6700. could the rockers be to tight?
 

notchback

Founding Member
May 30, 2000
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36
St Clair Shores MI
May 15, 2010
#2
  • May 15, 2010
  • #2
you probably need new pushrods, they are the wrong length i would guess
 
9

90stang5speed

Member
Jan 19, 2009
582
2
19
Columbus Ga
May 15, 2010
#3
  • May 15, 2010
  • #3
the rocker arms are stud mounted with roller tips. shouldn't the adjustability of the rocker arms make up for any push rod lenght issue? this is my first build so Im no expert.
 

Beasty306GT

Active Member
Dec 19, 2002
671
4
28
Oxford,Mass
May 15, 2010
#4
  • May 15, 2010
  • #4
sounds like u need new pushrods
 
9

90stang5speed

Member
Jan 19, 2009
582
2
19
Columbus Ga
May 15, 2010
#5
  • May 15, 2010
  • #5
could you guys explain why you think i need new push rods please
 

notchback

Founding Member
May 30, 2000
1,950
0
36
St Clair Shores MI
May 15, 2010
#6
  • May 15, 2010
  • #6
so you have stud mount 1.6 ???

maybe your ok, i cant say for sure. i was just under the impression that if you DID NOT get the required lash with the 1/4 to 1/2 turn and no more than 20 lbs... you needed new pushrods
 
9

90stang5speed

Member
Jan 19, 2009
582
2
19
Columbus Ga
May 15, 2010
#7
  • May 15, 2010
  • #7
yes, they are stud mounted 1.6 roller rockers. I think the issue is that when i first set the adjustment and then rolled the motor over by hand, it squeezed the oil out of the lifters and made them loose again. I will readust them tonight after work and see how that works and post the results. thanks for the tips
 
K

kingmeirl

Member
Feb 3, 2008
65
0
7
Aug 11, 2010
#8
  • Aug 11, 2010
  • #8
did you tighten them all at the same time, or roll the crank over so the cam was not lifting the rocker when tightening?
 

1993SVT

New Member
May 25, 2010
29
0
1
Aug 11, 2010
#9
  • Aug 11, 2010
  • #9
Not sure if you were doing this but when you're tightening down those rockers, you have to turn the crank as well for each and every rocker. First, you want to start out with #1 cylinder up. Tighten down to zero lash with just your fingers until you feel just a little resistance and then do your 1/4 - 1/2 turn more with the wrench. Turn the crank until you see exhaust valve starting to come up, then do the same with that rocker bolt/nut. Do the same for the rest of the rockers but in the order that the cylinders fire. Remember, when you're adjusting the rockers you have to take into consideration where each valve is resting on the cam lobe. Otherwise, you're gonna have a messy situation on your hands. Quite possibly a bent valve or pushrod because of improper adjustment. If you're unsure, I'd stop into a local speedshop and ask some questions.
 

1993SVT

New Member
May 25, 2010
29
0
1
Aug 11, 2010
#10
  • Aug 11, 2010
  • #10
~Correction in text~

I stated "where each valve is resting on the cam lobe" in my response. It should've been "where each lifter( in essence, the pushrod )is resting on the cam lobe". Improper adjustment could cause you another set of a few things in your assembly.

1993SVT said:
Not sure if you were doing this but when you're tightening down those rockers, you have to turn the crank as well for each and every rocker. First, you want to start out with #1 cylinder up. Tighten down to zero lash with just your fingers until you feel just a little resistance and then do your 1/4 - 1/2 turn more with the wrench. Turn the crank until you see exhaust valve starting to come up, then do the same with that rocker bolt/nut. Do the same for the rest of the rockers but in the order that the cylinders fire. Remember, when you're adjusting the rockers you have to take into consideration where each valve is resting on the cam lobe. Otherwise, you're gonna have a messy situation on your hands. Quite possibly a bent valve or pushrod because of improper adjustment. If you're unsure, I'd stop into a local speedshop and ask some questions.
Click to expand...
 

Chrome_Rust

Member
Dec 5, 2008
530
1
17
Findlay, Ohio
Aug 11, 2010
#11
  • Aug 11, 2010
  • #11
Just make sure the Cam is on the base circle for each cylinder you do. Tighten until you cant turn the pushrod with your finger, then 1/2 turn more, then turn the holddown and the locknut together another 1/4 turn. do in order of fire, you will be fine after that. the lifters will compensate for some minor variations. I did this on my 302 that I am installing in the Gf's notch and have spun that thing to 6500+...
 

will1992

Member
Aug 25, 2005
123
0
16
Aug 12, 2010
#12
  • Aug 12, 2010
  • #12
this should help http://cranecams.com/pdf/425e.pdf and here Ford Racing 1.7 Performance Roller Rockers - Stud Mount (289/302/5.0L/351W) - Installation Instructions at AmericanMuscle.com - Free Shipping!
 

Strype

Cuthbert catcher
Founding Member
May 11, 1999
61
34
104
Huntsvegas, AL
Aug 12, 2010
#13
  • Aug 12, 2010
  • #13
My guess is that you guys are about 3 1/2 months late.
 

1993SVT

New Member
May 25, 2010
29
0
1
Aug 12, 2010
#14
  • Aug 12, 2010
  • #14
lol..I just realized that. better make sure I have my coffee before I reply to anymore posts. however, no harm in a little additional input.
 
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