Best Method for Adjusting Hydraulic Lifters

[jefflock]

What is the best method for setting hydraulic lifters? I'm using 273 adjustable rocker arms with ball and cup pushrods. Thanks

 

[rumblefish360]

The adjusting screws should not have more than 2 threads showing and the pushrod should depress the lifter approx. an amount of .050. That amount is in the middle of the range the lifter can handle. The last .010 on ethier end isn't really useable.

If you need new pushrods, a pushrod length checking tool is money well spent. (There not alot of money)

 

[Rocket]

The only way I have done it is when the intake was off. Starting with the cam at the valves base circle I exposed the right number of threads on the adjuster as mentioned above and then tightened the adjuster and measured the distance between the lifter plunger and the plunger retaining clip. Crane had suggested between .025 and .030 of clearance for my agressive hydraulic cam. I used a round wire feeler gauge to measure the clearance. If you do a few this way and measure the amount of adjuster turns it takes to go from 0 clearance (slight drag when you spin the pushrod in your finger tips) to the clearance desired you can adjust the rest of the adjusting nuts the same with the cam at base circle and a slight drag when you spin the push rod (0 clearance). The most accurace way however is to do each valve separately to account for differences in valve stem heights (if any).

 

[jefflock]

I read over on moparts to remove the valve covers and loosen each adjusting screw 2 turns. Then start the motor and let it run about 2 minutes so each lifters will pump up. Then remove valve covers and adjust each valve in the proper order. Tighten the adjuster up till the pushrod begins to drag then give it a additional 1/2. Has anyone done it this way?????

 

[66dartgt]

My data may be outdated but crane used to tell you to set the preload between .020 and .060, anything in between is fine.

The adjusters use a thread that is 24 threads per inch. thus 1" divided by 24 = .0416", in other words one turn for the midpoint of the range. I take the slack out of the rocker arm and give the adjuster one turn in and tighten the lock nut. I also turn the crank and adjust the valves looking for the exh or intake to open and then adjust the one thats not open on that particular cylinder. If you have a really hairy cam there is a more specific adjusting method that mopar recommends.

 

[jimmyray]

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[moper]

Take out the slack, and go between 1/4 and 1/2 turn beyond where the slop is out of the pushrod. If they are still really loud, you can try a skoatch more. But do not go past 3/4 turn past "no slop".

 

[D-mailman]

Like Moper says, 1/4 to 1/2 after zero lash. Make sure you are on cam base circle and at zero lash. I rock the rocker at the valve end and 'feel' the clearance. When zero lash (clearance), I give it 1/4 turn,..if noisy then one half. Good luck,
Terry