What is

[S'portMustang69]

The proper torque for a 302 with rail type rockers? I've been told 2 different things.Was told 20 foot pounds and 40 foot pounds.And should I be concerned if a couple of the rockers have a minor chip on the pushrod end?

Some of them was really loose you could grab the rocker and wiggle it good.Engine is a fresh rebuild has less than 2k miles on it.

 

[Rusty67]

What year are the heads ?

I know you should not be able to grab a rocker and easily wiggle it all around.

 

[S'portMustang69]

1969 I think its just a case of the rebuilder (guy i bought it from had already rebuilt engine) failed to torque properly.The heads as far as i can tell are in excellent shape.I hope that is the case as theres things still unfinished on the car that i'd much rather spend my money on.

 

[woodsnake]

They are hydraulic lifters, they will bleed down if not run for a while, don't let that freak you out!

If it is a fresh motor, why do you have it apart?

 

[S'portMustang69]

Got tired of hearing the tick tick tick of loose rockers plus I bought new covers cause I wanted chrome instead of ford blue.O btw I crank it and let it run for abit everyday.

 

[woodsnake]

Well, the process for adjusting your rocker arms is given in the Ford shop manual for your car.
Basically, you have to do each cylinder, in the firing order, when both valves are closed.

But again, if it's a stock, fresh rebuild you shouldn't have any lifter ticking. Is there any chance it's an exhaust leak instead? If you have the engine running, can you put a stethoscope on the valve cover to identify which cylinder is making noise?

 

[S'portMustang69]

Well the exhaust minus the manifolds is brand new.I'm pretty sure the noise I heard was the rockers you could grab them and shake them real good.But hey I'm no mechanic I could be wrong so I'll give what you said a shot when I get a chance.Last time I ran the car it was missing abit and would try to stall once In awhile.I got it ripped apart atm cause I ordered a edelbrock 4v carb and new intake I been wanting for awhile.

My moms ex-husband (yeah we still friends) is a mechanic and he was riding with me one day and pointed out that the rockers were loose.I'm hoping I don't have to fix alot cause the car is close to being finished and I'm ready to get it done.Few interior parts,finishing the AC,rear suspension(it is on the way was still riding on 40 year old shocks) and I'll be done.

 

[S'portMustang69]

O another question.Is it ok to turn the motor by trying to crank it to get the cylinders in firing order?While I've worked on alot of engines I've never adjusted
rockers.I found what you was talking about in my manual but it only covers with engine pulled and tore down.

 

[woodsnake]

A loose spark plug wire will cause your symptoms as well. Again, the hyd lifters will bleed down, even overnight. How ever, they should not be REALLY loose. If you can twist them with your fingers, that is OK, If you can move them up and down, that is not.
The firing order is determined by the distributor, in example the rotor sends spark to each cylinder as it rotates under the cap.
To adjust the rockers, you will want to turn the engine by hand, with like a breaker bar. It is a lot easier if you take out the plugs.
Double check the plug wires for tightness at the cap, and on each spark plug, and make sure you have the right order from the cap to the cylinders. It's easy to cross one in the back, IE, 4-3, and 8-7.

 

[S'portMustang69]

Could move them up and down.I'm sure the wires are right and that they are tight but hey doesnt hurt to check.