Valve Adjustments
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Yerington NV
Valve Adjustments
Before you say I have read all this before - so have I 
After trying ALL the methods of finding lash and going another 1/4, 1/2 or 1full turn tighter, there always seems to be at least 1 ticking one left
So my question is: Instead of trying to do them all, why not locate the 1 that is ticking, get myself those caps to stop the oil from coming up push-rods, and a tall valve cover that I can drill out a hole for each rocker adjustment and adjust it up or down until no more ticking? Any disadvantage to doing that, other than the time to put on valve cover (and acquire them of course) and caps?
After trying ALL the methods of finding lash and going another 1/4, 1/2 or 1full turn tighter, there always seems to be at least 1 ticking one left
So my question is: Instead of trying to do them all, why not locate the 1 that is ticking, get myself those caps to stop the oil from coming up push-rods, and a tall valve cover that I can drill out a hole for each rocker adjustment and adjust it up or down until no more ticking? Any disadvantage to doing that, other than the time to put on valve cover (and acquire them of course) and caps?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Before you say I have read all this before - so have I
After trying ALL the methods of finding lash and going another 1/4, 1/2 or 1full turn tighter, there always seems to be at least 1 ticking one left
So my question is: Instead of trying to do them all, why not locate the 1 that is ticking, get myself those caps to stop the oil from coming up push-rods, and a tall valve cover that I can drill out a hole for each rocker adjustment and adjust it up or down until no more ticking? Any disadvantage to doing that, other than the time to put on valve cover (and acquire them of course) and caps?
After trying ALL the methods of finding lash and going another 1/4, 1/2 or 1full turn tighter, there always seems to be at least 1 ticking one left
So my question is: Instead of trying to do them all, why not locate the 1 that is ticking, get myself those caps to stop the oil from coming up push-rods, and a tall valve cover that I can drill out a hole for each rocker adjustment and adjust it up or down until no more ticking? Any disadvantage to doing that, other than the time to put on valve cover (and acquire them of course) and caps?
If you are using a dummy set of covers to guard against oil splatter you won't need the clips. I have even made a fence kind of thing out of cardboard and ran it the circumference of the head to block oil before. Cutting the tops off of valve covers worked best though, and personally I use BOTH methods.
I like to load the lifters with oil, install everything, and adjust them with the engine off at #1 TDC and #6 TDC. Once they are all done, I start the engine, and with it running for a minute or so, I do a final adjustment to stop the clatter, and go one half turn more and tighten the locks.
That's just the way I like to do it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Yerington NV
I probably could get by with a single cut-out valve cover? Also, any tricks to narrowing down which valve it is? I hear it with naked ear and it is definetely on LH/drivers side, but if I put my stethoscope on valve cover, I am not hearing it .....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I just tighten them all just a tad to get the clatter to go away. Then I go back, loosen one until it clatters, tighten it until it stops, and then the final half turn.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I just took the air chisel to a cheap cover I got for $5 and cut a long strip out of the center of the top. Not even a pretty cut, but it worked.
Once you have the cutout cover installed, fire it up and use the but end of a ratchet and hold it against each rocker and you will hear the difference when you get to the culprit, then snug it down til it quiets.
Once you have the cutout cover installed, fire it up and use the but end of a ratchet and hold it against each rocker and you will hear the difference when you get to the culprit, then snug it down til it quiets.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 195
Likes: 2
From: Wilmington MA
Be sure you dont have an exhaust leak. It can sound very much like a ticking lifter. I've been through that. You mentioned you dont hear it when you use the stethascope along the lenght of the valve cover. Use it in and around the exhaust ports, manifold if cracked, and where the exhaust pipe meets the manifold dump. Its an easy chek, you may find something. Had a "bad lifter" on one of my chevy trucks, turned out to be a cracked manifold. Check it out, good luck 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Yerington NV
Update on my TICKING valves
Turned out to be a small exhaust leak, that a new Felpro 1404 gasket promptly took care of. It was little harder to fix as I was determined to get my "valves adjusted" which in hindsight was a good learning experience as I have now done that myself as well.Thanks all & if you want a picture of a working cut-out valve cover for running motor adjustment, just pm me with an email address.
Tom
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 233
Likes: 41
From: Simpsonville SC
I got a little creative with the wifes disposable aluminum baking pans and made some oil deflectors. I also put some adhesive backed foam on the bottom so make a good seal. http://picasaweb.google.com/Walllpar...04380453207538 Worked perfect with no mess. On a 78 L-82, is 1/2 turn after zero lash the correct setting? I only did a 1/4 turn and things seem fine.