My truck will not stay running and back fires after hydraulic valve adjustment.

[Hazieview]

Well I'm back to working on my truck again. I have a new engine and during my tuning process I noticed my rockers were coming loose. I pulled the valve covers and tightened them all down using the 'twist the rod in your fingers method.' Now when I fire it up I can't keep the engine running long enough to loosen the valves to make sure they are not too tight.

So I start the engine and it runs for like 15 second but it sounds like it is backfiring a little bit through the tail pipes. I just need the freaking thing to stay running long enough to pull the valve covers and loosen each rocker to hear the clack and then tighten them back down. I was told this was the best way to set rocker with hydraulic lifters. This is my first time running hydraulic lifters and I'm starting to regret it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!