Adjusting roller rockers
 

:metal:I know there are different methods of adjusting the rockers in the sbc, but the real question is. Which of the two is better with the engine running or with the engine off? I have completed them before both ways but I was told with the aluminum heads I should do them with the engine off. What is your take on this matter?

Re: Adjusting roller rockers
 

motor off. twist push rod till it starts to get hard to turn. go another 1 full turn on the bolt and tighten down the retainer.

Re: Adjusting roller rockers
 

good info

Re: Adjusting roller rockers
 

Thanks for the info.

Re: Adjusting roller rockers
 

Great video! thanks for posting!

Re: Adjusting roller rockers
 

i agree.. with motor OFF.. another tip.. make sure you have the LOCK secured, after the adjustment is made......... i have seen this come "unlocked"

Re: Adjusting roller rockers
 

OMFG...that guy in the video needs slapped. I hate misinformation.

Your cam will come with instructions, most are NOT a full turn, only 1/2-3/4 after 0 lash. You go not get any benefit from tightening them more, and can possibly cause damage in some cases.

Also most Haynes, and motor manuals will tell a procedure to adjust the valves with only rotating the engine to TDC, then half over. With the engine off. I prefer doing them one by one, but the other method is fine too.

Re: Adjusting roller rockers
 

The "twist 'em till you feel resistance" is bunk. Many will spin freely when the lifter is completely bottomed out and if there's plenty of oil in the rocker cup and lifter, you won't be able to tell when you're at zero.
Grab the pushrod between thumb and fingers and wiggle it UP and DOWN until you can feel all the slack gone. Do it a few times until you get the hang of it. Then adjust to your desired preload, 1/2 or 3/4 turn. When setting polylocks, back off from preload about 1/8 turn, tighten the allen set in the center of the polylock as tight as you can get it and then TURN THE ALLEN WRENCH AND WRENCH YOU'RE USING ON THE POLYLOCK AT THE SAME TIME until they're TIGHT. This is the only reliable way to lock 'em down. If you simply try to tighten the allen set down after setting preload, it will get loose again. That's a promise.
Make sure your rocker studs are perfectly flat on top. If they're not, the allen set can't tighten squarely and they'll work their way loose.