Roller rocker madness....

[restomod22]

Hey guys/gals

I have Probe 1.6 roller rockers that I've been "attempting" to adjust. I bring the #1 cylinder to TDC (I know it's TDC 1 and not 6 cause I feel a gust of air on the up stroke over #1 plug and can see the piston at the top) and adjust both rockers. I adjust by moving the push rod up and down until there is no play between rocker and rod (0 lash) and turn the poly lock 1/4 turn past 0, tighten set screw and move to next cylinder in firing order.

This is a fresh rebuild. I've only driven about 100 miles. I noticed I had a vaccuum leak around my intake, so I popped it off to reseal and adjust/check my rockers while I was at it. When I adjusted the rockers at TDC for each cylinder, I would check the other rockers that were not TDC and find some of them to be loose and have a small amount of gap between the rod and rocker. I also noticed that some of these rockers seemed "springy" when pressed downward onto the hydraulic lifters. I would go through each cylinder at TDC again and find them all to be perfectly adjusted while TDC. I know none of the rockers should be loose at any point, so what's the deal? All I can think of is air being trapped in the lifters somehow, but I'm not sure that makes sense.....

This is my first rebuild and I've never had hydraulic lifters or roller rockers before, so any help is appreciated!!

 

[2nd Mustang]

I thought it was 1/2 to 3/4 turn after zero lash? Can anyone help?

 

[restomod22]

I've read anywhere from 1/4 past 0 to a full turn past 0, so I dunno.....

I actually tighten the poly lock about another 1/4 turn after I tighten the set screw as well, so I'm about 1/2. Something else I read......

 

[66P51GT]

The Ford bible states 3/4 turn after 0 lash. Make sure you are adjusting in the correct sequence to your camshaft. If you have a flat tappet, it is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 if it is a roller or 351W cam, it is 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8.

Also, you should not let the poly lock rotate when tightening the set screw. This would add a variable in the adjustment.

Another related question... how did you determine the correct pushrod length? Stock lengths don't always work with aftermarket heads, lifters, and rocker arms. Valve geometry could be off if not properly measured. I'm not sure if this would be related to the problems you are experiencing. Comp cams has a good tech section that explains how to measure and determine correct pushrod lengths.

 

[restomod22]

Hey thanks 66....

I am using a flat tappet cam and am using the 15426378 sequence. I could try and go another 1/4 turn, but I'd be suprised if that made up the difference in the gap between rocker/rod that I have.

I don't let the poly lock rotate while tightening the set screw, but read somewhere that and added 1/4 turn on the poly lock after the set screw was tight would help keep it set and in place.....dunno if that's true or not.

I bought the short block, rods, rockers, cam and heads from the same vendor, so unless they messed up, I should be fine.

 

[coolblue65]

Adjust them while the motor is idling, tight them till they just stop ticking, turn them off and go a quarter to a half turn more and your done.

 

[Pbum5]

Adjust them while the motor is idling, tight them till they just stop ticking, turn them off and go a quarter to a half turn more and your done.

That's what I do. Went to a junkyard got an old valve cover cut off the top and used it. It really helps keep the oil off of things.

 

[coolblue65]

That's what I do. Went to a junkyard got an old valve cover cut off the top and used it. It really helps keep the oil off of things.

I did the same.

 

[restomod22]

Yeah, I'm finding that this may be the best way to go. I didn't do it this way because it seems like such a mess. But, at least I could do it once and be done!!

Thanks for all the help....