fuzzyz

why does oil shoot out like I just cut a vain when I have my valve cover off ? I'm trying to adjust my rockers to stop ticking.

Viz

You'd best be served by using rocker arm clips like these:


They deflect the oil while adjusting, but they're not left in place when you're done !

Also, for "extra neatness", if you can find an old valve cover from a regular small block, you can cut it down and just have the lip on the bottom (with a gasket) that will stop the oil from running down off the head at the bottom.

Viz

caryb78

You can adjust them without the engine running its a lot cleaner. The oil is coming up the pushrods and lubes the rockers so not much you can do about it. IF you elect to adjust them without the engine running go to you tube and you can find videos on how to do it since you must make sure the cam is in right position for adjusting int. and exh. valve.

toobroketoretire

I have my damper marked every 90 degrees so I can adjust my valves cold. And I set the intake and exhaust valve at the same time because its plenty accurate even for solid lifter cams of moderate duration.

bluedawg

There are a few things that you can do to stop the mess created by this. the first is to cut out a valve cover so that you can fit a socket on an extention down to the nut on the rocker stud, when you do this cut out the space needed on three sides and bend the other in so that it deflects the oil spray, this is the best way. Next would be the clips, there are two styles, one is a wire clip that fits over the rocker with a plastic "cork" looking piece that plugs the hole and the next is a sheet metal looking piece that slips onto the top end of the rocker and deflects the oil back onto the rocker. The third method is to cut a piece of sheet metal and form it to were it runs around the bottom and side of the head and tucks into the lip that the valve cover fastens to. Like I said the first is the best method that I've found followed by the clip style. Good luck.

Easy Mike

Because small blocks lubricate in that manner.

gungatim

I was gonna say because it was running...why doesn't anyone RTFM anymore??

hugie82

Adjusting while it's running is the easiest way to get it right and it's a little messy. I have old valve covers with a thin strip cut out of the middle. Just enough to get a socket on the rocker stud. I have a rubber gasket glued to the bottom of the cover also. It works great and very little mess. As the engine heats up, it stops the oil from overrunning the sides of the head and you get a better adjustment with a hot engine.