Economical replacement rocker arm set?

[WSUTARD]

Got everything all adjusted based on the chart. I hand tightened the adjuster just before the point of not being able to roll the rod in my fingers. Then I did a half turn with my allen wrench and used a crows foot and ratchet to tighten the locking nut. I followed that up with an Allen wrench and torque wrench to 15ftlbs.

I did notice that the pressure in the lifters has subsided a little by the time I was done torquing. I'm guessing this is normal from the preload.

Anything else before I cover them up and test it out?

 

[rustycowll69]

Got everything all adjusted based on the chart. I hand tightened the adjuster just before the point of not being able to roll the rod in my fingers. Then I did a half turn with my allen wrench and used a crows foot and ratchet to tighten the locking nut. I followed that up with an Allen wrench and torque wrench to 15ftlbs.

I did notice that the pressure in the lifters has subsided a little by the time I was done torquing. I'm guessing this is normal from the preload.

Anything else before I cover them up and test it out?

View attachment 1715061301

#1 exhaust doesn't look quite centered over the valve tip.

 

[WSUTARD]

Based on the pic you are correct. But it's just a little slop. Measured at .044 inches. I could try to put a spacer in there. They are .02

 

[rustycowll69]

Based on the pic you are correct. But it's just a little slop. Measured at .044 inches.

well, let 'er rip, then!

 

[WSUTARD]

well, let 'er rip, then!

Should I put a .02 spacer in there? Can I undo the bolts and then re tighten them without resetting the adjusters?

 

[rustycowll69]

Should I put a .02 spacer in there? Can I undo the bolts and then re tighten them without resetting the adjusters?

do it later. yes, just unboltinh them and reinstalling them shouldn't change anything.

 

[nm9stheham]

Don't get wrapped around the axle with the centering....fire it up.

 

[WSUTARD]

Just fired it up. There was a knock initially but now it seems to have come away with a minute of warmup

 

[nm9stheham]

Running smooth and evenly?

 

[WSUTARD]

Yep. Running normally. Just took it for a spin. All good

 

[WSUTARD]

Now to figure out how to pay for a stroker kit. But that's a new thread!

 

[yellow rose]

Cool.

 

[WSUTARD]

So I drove a longer distance today that included back roads and highway. Maybe I am over-sensitive to the car feedback when I change things but I have this feeling like I am down a little bit on power. It is just a feeling, nothing like "whoa, I lost power" but more like, "huh, I wonder if there is any chance that I might have lost 10hp".

So, please put me at ease so I can go back to enjoying my car. Is there any way that these new adjustable rockers could have lowered the power output of the engine? I am thinking that the only way possible would be a reduction in the lift of the valve thus reducing airflow. Seems plausible that I over pre-loaded the lifters and thus they aren't pushing the valves open all the way. However, I would expect that this would show up in a different idle or more dramatic power loss, or something very noticeable.

I think I am making this up but wanted to ask.

 

[yellow rose]

Highly unlikely that the rockers make less power. If you know what the lift is you can measure it at the retainer and see how close it is.

I know the stamped rockers are almost never 1.5 ratio. The last set I checked (probably 1985) they were 1.42. Most of them I checked were about 1.45.

Most of those style rockers I've checked are no less than 1.48 and I've had some that were 1.53.

I don't think my cousin ever checked those but the car went .04-.05 quicker with those rockers.

 

[rustycowll69]

So I drove a longer distance today that included back roads and highway. Maybe I am over-sensitive to the car feedback when I change things but I have this feeling like I am down a little bit on power. It is just a feeling, nothing like "whoa, I lost power" but more like, "huh, I wonder if there is any chance that I might have lost 10hp".

So, please put me at ease so I can go back to enjoying my car. Is there any way that these new adjustable rockers could have lowered the power output of the engine? I am thinking that the only way possible would be a reduction in the lift of the valve thus reducing airflow. Seems plausible that I over pre-loaded the lifters and thus they aren't pushing the valves open all the way. However, I would expect that this would show up in a different idle or more dramatic power loss, or something very noticeable.

I think I am making this up but wanted to ask.

if you "overpreloaded" like you said, it would be if anything, opening the valve to the point of holding the valve off the seat, not the reverse.

 

[WSUTARD]

Question, do I thave to go back in and reset the load after driving for a bit?

 

[rustycowll69]

Question, do I thave to go back in and reset the load after driving for a bit?

it shouldn't be like adjusting the valves on a solid lifter HemI every other weekend. Once it is adjusted properly, it should be fine for a couple of years, in normal street use.

 

[yellow rose]

Question, do I thave to go back in and reset the load after driving for a bit?[/QUOTE


I usually do it once after it has some miles on it. Never know, you could have missed one or been on the ramp.

Once I do it twice I don't check them for a long time.