I Know the question is probably obvious and dumb to most of you, but my new motor just does not feel the way it should!! I took it for the first short run and it was really not all that fast. The lifter's were tapping so we had to loosten the rockers because there was not much oil coming up due to the fact that they were so tight(stupid I know). Would this be part of the reason the car did not feel very strong?? Other than the rougher idle from the rockers being tight, the car runs great.

 

What do you mean by too tight? How far of a turn? My engine floated valves at about 6300 with 1/2 turn past lash, I redid them with 1/4 turn and now it seems to rev fine to 6700-6800. Im using Comp Rs, though, and 1/4 turn is what is recommended.

 

Oh yes! They can. Not only that but, depending on the engine set up, you can hit the piston, bend the valve, destroy the pushrod etc. Again depending on the set-up you may have them so tight that the valves are staying partially open.

 

Red Devil, that was exactly what I was thinking. I did not do any damage (thank ***), but I think they were about a full turn instead of 1/4.

 

Sure you can go 1/4 turn if your into that cool ticking noise kinda setup, you know the one that your buds ask whats wrong with your engine.

1 full turn IS NOT TO TIGHT! If you were having noise it means you had a couple that were too loose. If you had them too tight you would get more of a "mmpop" sound. You should no go less then 1/2 past zero lash.

If you think about this way, If I over tighten the rockers the valve could stay open and not close causing performance loss and drivability problems. Now If I dont tighten the rockers and there too loose the valve might not be opening up as much as it could be open, again causing decreased performance.



EDIT: Seems to me you might check what the Cam manufacture has to say about final lash. Most require 1 full turn.

 

I see what you are saying ssc, but I know they were too tight because as soon as I backed them off a bit, the car ran 10 times better!! But your right, I don't think 1/4 turn is quite enough either.

 

R U adjusting the valves properly (getting the zero lash point proplerly)? Zero lash is when all the vertical slack is gone, not when it's impossible to twist by finger.

 

Just to piggyback on what formularpm said, 1/4 turn is not too loose IF you run Comp R lifters. They are designed to be run with very little preload. Some run with as little as 1/8th of a turn. Otherwise OE-type lifters are fine with whatever preload you want to put on it.

Anyway, IMO the best way to set lash is with the engine running and warmed up.

 

Ya they are comp pro mag 1.6's and comp 987 springs.....I am having a much more experienced guy come and help me tonight!! Thanks for the info guys.

 

I wonder if the ticking is from guideplates? Did you measure for proper pushrod length?

 

Guide plates and all are fine.