Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
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From: CT
Car: Used to drive a camaro
Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
I'm thinking I may have adjusted my rockers/valves too much and wanted to back off all the poly locks and readjust my roller rockers again. Can I do this with valve covers off and the engine running without making a complete mess? Tips, pointers, etc?
Reason is, my fresh built 383 (specs in my sig) ran a 17.1 @ 80.4mph at the track last weekend with my tune. Granted, my tune was probably nothing more than poor but seems like the engine just runs hard. First oil change at 200 miles had a fair amount of metal dust on the magnetic oil drain plug. I haven't changed it yet at 600miles on the new build but will this weekend. Plugs looked alright, heat signature on the plugs looked alright I mean.
Reason is, my fresh built 383 (specs in my sig) ran a 17.1 @ 80.4mph at the track last weekend with my tune. Granted, my tune was probably nothing more than poor but seems like the engine just runs hard. First oil change at 200 miles had a fair amount of metal dust on the magnetic oil drain plug. I haven't changed it yet at 600miles on the new build but will this weekend. Plugs looked alright, heat signature on the plugs looked alright I mean.
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From: Mid West
Car: '87 Camaro
Engine: '92 Carb'd 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: factory stock
Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
In the old days, we would get old valvecovers & cut the top off.
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From: Yakima,WA
Car: 1982 Camaro z-28
Engine: 307
Transmission: th-350 with stage 2 shift kit
Axle/Gears: stock
Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
I'm thinking I may have adjusted my rockers/valves too much and wanted to back off all the poly locks and readjust my roller rockers again. Can I do this with valve covers off and the engine running without making a complete mess? Tips, pointers, etc?
Reason is, my fresh built 383 (specs in my sig) ran a 17.1 @ 80.4mph at the track last weekend with my tune. Granted, my tune was probably nothing more than poor but seems like the engine just runs hard. First oil change at 200 miles had a fair amount of metal dust on the magnetic oil drain plug. I haven't changed it yet at 600miles on the new build but will this weekend. Plugs looked alright, heat signature on the plugs looked alright I mean.
Reason is, my fresh built 383 (specs in my sig) ran a 17.1 @ 80.4mph at the track last weekend with my tune. Granted, my tune was probably nothing more than poor but seems like the engine just runs hard. First oil change at 200 miles had a fair amount of metal dust on the magnetic oil drain plug. I haven't changed it yet at 600miles on the new build but will this weekend. Plugs looked alright, heat signature on the plugs looked alright I mean.
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From: Houston, Texas
Car: 88' IROCZ
Engine: 388 TPI Motown 350 Race block
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77
Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
I always adjust my rockers cold and engine not running. Never had to readjust.
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Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
So, I guess my real question is I've got 600 or so miles on the new motor and I'm thinking I may need to reset my rockers polylocks.
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From: Boosted Land
Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Boosted LSX
Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
Yes you can pull one cover off. This method works very well for a running engine.
Loosen the adjusting nut of one valve until you hear it "clicking". Slowly re-tighten the adjusting nut until the clicking stops. Tighten an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Lock it down.
Or do em all over cold. Ive always did it this way and never had a problem.
Loosen the adjusting nut of one valve until you hear it "clicking". Slowly re-tighten the adjusting nut until the clicking stops. Tighten an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn. Lock it down.
Or do em all over cold. Ive always did it this way and never had a problem.
Valve Adjustment The Quick Way:
With the engine OFF and spark plugs removed so that you can rotate the engine with less effort.
1. Get #1 piston to compression TDC, Cam gear at 12 o'clock crank gear at 12 o'clock.
2. Adjust the intake valves on cylinders 1, 2, 5, & 7 by loosening the rocker nut until play is in the pushrod then just take the up and down play in the pushrod and tighten the rocker nut 90 degrees
3. Adjust the exhaust valves on 1, 3, 4, & 8 in the same manner.
4. Rotate crank 360 degrees to get cylinder #6 to compression TDC, Cam gear at 6 o'clock and crank gear at 12 o'clock.
5. Adjust the intake valves on 3, 4, 6, & 8 in mentioned manner
6. Adjust the exhaust valves on 2, 5, 6, & 7
Getting the '0' lash is the same as I posted originally. Use the "up and down" rather than "spinning" the pushrod. You will find it to be much more accurate
With the engine OFF and spark plugs removed so that you can rotate the engine with less effort.
1. Get #1 piston to compression TDC, Cam gear at 12 o'clock crank gear at 12 o'clock.
2. Adjust the intake valves on cylinders 1, 2, 5, & 7 by loosening the rocker nut until play is in the pushrod then just take the up and down play in the pushrod and tighten the rocker nut 90 degrees
3. Adjust the exhaust valves on 1, 3, 4, & 8 in the same manner.
4. Rotate crank 360 degrees to get cylinder #6 to compression TDC, Cam gear at 6 o'clock and crank gear at 12 o'clock.
5. Adjust the intake valves on 3, 4, 6, & 8 in mentioned manner
6. Adjust the exhaust valves on 2, 5, 6, & 7
Getting the '0' lash is the same as I posted originally. Use the "up and down" rather than "spinning" the pushrod. You will find it to be much more accurate
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From: Mid West
Car: '87 Camaro
Engine: '92 Carb'd 350
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: factory stock
Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
TPI383--
Thanks for posting the process!! I have seen it before but forgot where!!
AC--
I hope this gets you going fast again!! Good luck!!
Thanks for posting the process!! I have seen it before but forgot where!!
AC--
I hope this gets you going fast again!! Good luck!!
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From: Kempner,TX,
Car: 1996 Vette / 1992 GSX1100F Suzuki
Engine: 1996 Corvette Coupe 388 LT1 (+.060)
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Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
If so something is definitely wrong.
Jake
My son, Ryan M. Cameron, graduated from West Point on 22 May 2010! He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and I pinned on his first pair of "Butter Bars" PROUDEST DAY OF MY LIFE!!
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From: Boosted Land
Car: 92 Z28
Engine: Boosted LSX
Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
Heck there are some great starter bins on $59 with a few auto tunes running Hi 10's on boost.
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From: CT
Car: Used to drive a camaro
Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
I believe I found my culprit, metal chunks, pieces, etc in my oil. 600+ miles on the motor and something's failed. Leakdown test was horrifying, 3 outta 8 plugs had a gritty soot on them, not the nice tan and heat sig on the electrode of the plug the other 5 did.
The tune was only slightly different than 2 seasons ago when I was 40+mph faster in the trap. TPI383, I would still charge you either way for a .bin file.
Time to pull the engine apart and see what happened.
The tune was only slightly different than 2 seasons ago when I was 40+mph faster in the trap. TPI383, I would still charge you either way for a .bin file.
Time to pull the engine apart and see what happened.
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From: CT
Car: Used to drive a camaro
Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
Nothing yet. I've been in NYC all week on business and won't get home until late Friday. I might be getting to get into it this weekend. I'll post up what I find.
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From: York, PA area
Car: 84 Trans Am
Engine: 383 Stroker
Transmission: Th350
Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
wow dude that really sucks. i'm getting ready to build a 383 and i'm nervouse about it already before reading your post. very intrested to see what wrong.
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From: CT
Car: Used to drive a camaro
Re: Re-adjusting rockers once engine has run
I figured it'd happen at somepoint. I did not grow up a gearhead, or an engine builder. I took it on myself to learn on my own. I've built / extensively modified (4) third gens in the last 15 years. This engine is my 3rd enging build, starting from a bare block. Don't be nervous, a 383 with 5-6PSI of boost should be well into the 400 or even 500 range of rwhp and torque. I've seen 408 torque on my 2nd DIY built 383.
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