is there anything special that i have to do as far as adjusting them or something? i know its not just a bolt on thing and go. what exactly has to be done to do it right??

 

Try here...

http://www.centuryperformance.com/valveadjustment.asp

 

anybody wanna simplify that or summarize it? i read through most of it, but i don't fully understand...

 

Try a few searches on setting valve lash. That will tell you what you need to do to set them correctly.

 

i found a chevy high performance print up on how to do it too...it was pretty helpful, but both of the write ups i read said i have to do it with a hot engine....its a fully rebuilt motor, everything is brand new, how am i gonna do this with a hot engine? because i have to have everything set right to break in my new cam and whatnot....how am i gonna do this?

 

is this something i should have an experienced engine builder do? because if so, i could just take it to the guy that did my heads, he puts together race engines and stuff, it shouldn't be to much money for him to just adjust the rockers if everything is put together....should it?

 

No, you don't have to have a hot engine. The secret to not f*n up is finding zero lash. When you are setting the lash on a valve, the rocker will be loose. I.E. you will have play between the cup in the rocker arm where the pushrod sits and the pushrod. As you tighten the rocker arm nut, the play will decrease. You need to find the spot where the play goes away and the pushrod just begins to push down the cup inside the lifter. This is zero lash. Then you add your valve lash, like 1/2 a turn. If these are poly locks on your roller rockers, it is easier because you can spin the nut by hand (stock rockers have a deformed nut with an interference fit that is hard to turn when you get close to zero lash) and feel when it just begins to snug up. There are different ways as in which order to adjust the valves, but the link provided will work. If you don't feel totally confident in your ability to do this, I would suggest having your engine builder help you adjust them, so you will know how to do it in the future, because it does come in handy and once you learn, it's like riding a bike, you'll never forget.

 

Just do this. While tightening down each rocker, just spin the pushrod between your fingers. The pushrod will spin effortlessly while the rocker is loose. When you start to feel a bit of resistance in turning the pushrod, you've reached zero lash. Now just tighten the rocker down another 1/2 to 3/4 turn and your done. Always double check.

 

One thing I want to mention that I didn't read in here, when you adjust your valve lash the lifter has to be on the base lobe of the camshaft. Just thought I should mention that. Larry.