I have a quick? question. ok if I over tighten rocker arms then the valves will stay open. if I don't tighten them enought I will not get enough lift. would not enough lift create alot of heat right off the bat? thanks I just cannot figure out my car. I need some help.

 

If they are bit too loose, it will make some extra noise, but thats about it really. I doubt that would cause any temp issues.

 

ok, don't start from guesses to solution, give us the symptoms, and what was done recently.

new top end of motor, and it's overheating really fast? check if your t-stat is in upside down, or if there's air in the system. Remove the t-stat and fill up the block, then put it on and fill the rad. Or timing too far advanced.

 

ok yes a new top end and I checked the t-stat and it is working and is installed correctly. I am getting heat into the rad from the heater hoses and it is quick. like within a minute it is hot. the block is filled with water/antifreese right up to the top of the t-stat housing and the rad is filled also. thanks for any info. I used heads from a diff motor but it was a chevy 350 that I got the heads from. I just don't know if I am having a prob with the headgasket? they are new felpro gaskets.

 

If their too tight it can cause some excess heat.

If their loose all you get is a crappy running motor with some chattering.

 

Just a guess, it's got someting to do with the water jackets in the heads.
I say this because I had the same problem in my old car.
The water temp would go from 0 to 210 in 2 min. or less.
I never found out what the reason was for it.
On a side note, I pulled the motor and sold it to a friend, he rebuilt it and it lasted all of 20 miles...........

 

I just had these heads all refurbished. cleaned checked new valves and stronger springs. i did do a vaccum check and it was a little low. it was mostly steady but a little low

 

If they're too tight you get an engine that backfires through the exhaust and intake, or doesn't run at all.

 

Im just going from what guys have been posting.

Lots of em have a few glowing header tubes and it turned out to be rockers too tight. Probably only a hair bit too tight, just enough to get some seepage. But other than that, yea i assume if their cranked right down it wouldnt run at all.

 

ok. I got fed up and I decided to do a compression test. I could only get at three plugs without pulling off the headers. my number 2 cyl had a comp of 120. number one had 130 and number 7 had 140. I know these are low. now could I have put in my head gaskets wrong? there is only one way to install them. I just don't know if that is what it is or if maybe my rockers are messing it up. I have them adjusted with zero lash and 3/4 of a turn. thanks again.

 

Why do you think those are low?

 

I had always done comp tests and they were always around 155 to 160.

 

As far as installing the head gaskets wrong, there is no left or right side. But there is a right side up. You would see if the gaskets were installed wrong. The gasket would be covering up some or all of the coolant holes. All of the holes will line up if the gasket is installed correctly. With the car cold, removed the radiator cap, and start the car. Make sure the coolant is moving around. Be careful as some may splash out. Be sure to shut the car off as it will get hot. Re-install your radiator cap. Like was said before, check your timing as well. That can cause it to run hot.
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By the way, it sounds like your rockers are adjusted properly. Also, if the rockers are cranked all the way down, the car can still run, just not below 1500 or so. It'll also bend all of the pushrods. Don't ask how I know this . Hey, we all make mistakes. That's how we learn right.

 

if they were upside down then would all of the bolt holes line up too?

 

n/m, searched some more and found my answer.