Installing push Rods
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Bishop CA
Installing push Rods
I just installed some new aluminum heads. I still have the intake off the motor and can see the lifters. I want to put on the existing push rods to check their length. Where do the lifters need to be for me to install the pushrods and check at zero lash. Do they need to both be up, down, one up, one down. I was told to get TDC on #1 but I don't know how to do this. I know what your thinkin..what a dummy. Oh well I'm a plumber trying to save some money doin it myself. We all gotta learn some time. So remember when you give me instructions, you know the "Dummy" part. Thanks for understanding and helping.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,363
Likes: 429
From: Seattle Area WA
You can go to the library and check out any automotive book that deals with rebuilding a SBC and follow the directions.
Basically you will need to go to TDC in which case the "0" timing mark should line up on the balancer and pointer and both #1 lifters will be in the position to adjust, or otherwise down so the valves are closed (that is the most forward cylinder on the drivers side) and you have compression coming out of the #1 spark plug hole. That will be good to check both #1 pushrods at TDC, do you have a pushrod length checker?
Basically you will need to go to TDC in which case the "0" timing mark should line up on the balancer and pointer and both #1 lifters will be in the position to adjust, or otherwise down so the valves are closed (that is the most forward cylinder on the drivers side) and you have compression coming out of the #1 spark plug hole. That will be good to check both #1 pushrods at TDC, do you have a pushrod length checker?
Last edited by Scott Marzahl; Jan 12, 2011 at 05:01 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Bishop CA
You can go to the library and check out any automotive book that deals with rebuilding a SBC and follow the directions.
Basically you will need to go to TDC in which case the "0" timing mark should line up on the balancer and pointer and both #1 lifters will be "UP" (that is the most forward cylinder on the drivers side) and you have compression coming out of the #1 spark plug hole. That will be good to check both #1 pushrods at TDC, do you have a pushrod length checker?
Basically you will need to go to TDC in which case the "0" timing mark should line up on the balancer and pointer and both #1 lifters will be "UP" (that is the most forward cylinder on the drivers side) and you have compression coming out of the #1 spark plug hole. That will be good to check both #1 pushrods at TDC, do you have a pushrod length checker?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,363
Likes: 429
From: Seattle Area WA
With the #1 in the compression stroke at TDC you can do the following adjustments
Exhaust 1,3,4,8
Intake 1,2,5,7
Next turn the engine ONE revolution
Adjust the following;
Exhaust 2,5,6,7
Intake 3,4,6,8
Exhaust 1,3,4,8
Intake 1,2,5,7
Next turn the engine ONE revolution
Adjust the following;
Exhaust 2,5,6,7
Intake 3,4,6,8
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Bishop CA
I turned the motor over by hand and was not able to get both #1 lifters up at the same time, confused........
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Bishop CA
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,317
Likes: 111
From: St Louis MO
I just installed some new aluminum heads. I still have the intake off the motor and can see the lifters. I want to put on the existing push rods to check their length. Where do the lifters need to be for me to install the pushrods and check at zero lash. Do they need to both be up, down, one up, one down. I was told to get TDC on #1 but I don't know how to do this. I know what your thinkin..what a dummy. Oh well I'm a plumber trying to save some money doin it myself. We all gotta learn some time. So remember when you give me instructions, you know the "Dummy" part. Thanks for understanding and helping.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 3,814
Likes: 105
From: Dearborn Heights Michigan
Both #1 lifters need to be down with the timing mark at 0. The rocker arms will have no pressure on them and there will be a little play in both the intake and exhaust rockers.That is the maximum length for the pushrods.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Bishop CA
OK so both lifter on #1 will be in the down position, I was looking for them in the up position, I'll check it that way, thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
You can't have both lifters in the full up position. That would mean both valves are open at the same time at full lift. Never happen. You want the lifters on the base circle of the cam which is the down position. This is both valves closed.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Bishop CA
I got both in the down position and installed rods and rockers. Both rockers seem to pretty much stay in the middle of the valve whether open or closed, should the length be OK then. Also can I go ahead and install the other pushrods when those other cylinders are in the down position and so on.
