what are the downsides to having the valve lash/rockers set too tight? what will i notice if anything and what problems could i be facing? the engine runs now and seems to run fine except for a low idle and im just making sure i shouldnt be nervous about my tightening skills (cuz they def arent loose)...ok thanks a lot

 

If you havent touched your valves then thats not the problem. I dont see anything in your sig about rockers or anything, But if you have I would go with adjusting them with the motor running. Low idle can be a number of things. Whats wrong with low idle? Whats happening?

 

yeah sorry, i took the rockers off and did a cam swap...so i set them with the motor off...im not necessarily having any problems, im just trying to determine what to look for if they are too tight cuz i know they arent too loose and i dont trust myself...

it idles at like 750 and then drops to 500 and stumbles but after it warms up in drive or reverse it drops low enough to die...i havent checked the timing yet so im thinkin that has somethin to do with it...

 

theres all kinds of prob's it could do like pulling shafts 4 the rockers loose . i know of a lt1 haveing the same prob. you will notice a change in power also tight valves will hold you backin rpms .its almost isay almost better to be a little loose rather than tight. do a search on the subject you will find how to do it better. goood luck

 

Adjust them with the motor hot and with it running. Then you know you have done it correctly

 

There is no "correct" way of setting the valve lash. There is, however, the personally preferred way. I have set the lash with both the engine on and off. The engine on is quicker. Perhaps "more precise." There is definitly less of a science to it. But I have also set it with the engine off. I like this method after a fresh rebuild. Since it requires 2 full rotations of the engine, it gives time to check clearances and whatnot as well.

If you suspect a poor valve lash setting, you can either do a compression test or reset them. For a low and somewhat searching idle, bad valve lash setting doesn't jump out at me as one of the causes. When you did the cam swap, what EXACTLY did you end up replacing/removing?

 

ok so if i do them again with the engine running i just tighten until they stop making noise and then a half turn? or is there a better way?

i removed everything necessary to change the cam...smog, intake, wiring harness, vaccum stuff, a/c, alternator, water pump, crank pulley, harmonic balancer, valve covers, rockers, pushrods, lifters, cam, radiator, u name it...im not too worried about the idle tho...

 

Back off the nut till it ticks (You'll know) then slowely tighten till it stops and then go 1/2 turn. Go slow when you do it. You'll hear the engine bog when your turning it. Once turned the idle will even back out.