Hello

I have just finished an engine swap and I am having some trouble. I am getting compression through the carb. The timing is close enough to get it started but it still runs very rough and wont fully turn over. Im pretty sure that I need to adjust the rockers better. Im sure some are to tight and some to loose. I roughly adjusted them to where I thought I could get it started but I guess it wasnt enough. My question is...What is the easiest way to adjust them? Do I just bump the starter untill it makes a complete revolution and the push rod bottoms out then tighten it? I just need the easiest way to do it so I can get it started and adjust them while its running.

 

Loosen them all up. Then tighten each one enough to just take out the slack. Turn the crank over 180 degrees, go through all of them again and just take out any slack that they might have. Turn it over 180 degrees again, repeat. Turn it over 180 degrees one more time, take the slack out of any that remain loose.

If too tight was your problem, you should at least be able to get it started now so you can adjust them while running. If your distributor is in 180 degrees off, then adjusting the lifters won't help any.

 

The distributor isnt 180 off I dont think. The car does not backfire. Could I be getting compression through the carb because the rockers are to loose? What is the best way to adjust the rockers while its running? Back them off all the way one at a time and then tighten them down? Thanks for the help.

 

Explain a little more exactly what is happening. Does this happen with the coil wire off, for instance? Exactly what do you mean by "compression through the carb"? I suppose it's possible having an exhaust valve too loose could cause a coughing back through the carb as you crank it over.

If you aren't sure about your rocker adjustment, do what I said above. Then, after it's running at a slow idle, back off one rocker until it clatters, tighten until the clattering stops, then turn it down 1/2 turn more. Then go onto the next.

 

I found out what was wrong. It was the timing. It was way out of wack. The car is firing just fine now. Thanks for all of the help.