Valve Lash Adjustment Video - Engine Building Car Repair DVD

[@craigr13666]

this is the simplest most straightforward video if you're looking for help and guidance. most other guys tend to throw in a lot of extra info and procedures that are just confusing. follow the firing order like he says and you're golden.

[@markemery49]

I like his video..... well done! At around 1:28 into the video, he shows spinning the push rod to determine when zero lash has been achieved. I believe that there is a more accurate way to do this! With the intake manifold not yet installed (as in the video), and prior to the cam followers being oiled up, we have the perfect opportunity to watch the plunger as it just begins to move downward. Once it begins to move, we have established zero lash. This eliminates a potential error that may be made while spinning the push rod. At 1:34, he makes a good point. If we use a shallow socket, we can prevent this. At 2:28, he begins to talk about what is known as the 8 stop static procedure. He begins with # 1 cylinder at TDC C/S. Once done with # 1, you will rotate the crankshaft 90 degrees, and you are ready to adjust the next cylinder in the firing order. Keep going right down the firing order until you reach # 1 again. The crankshaft will have made 2 rotations, while the camshaft will have made only one full rotation. I strongly suggest that we use the 8 stop procedure, rather than the 2 or 3 stop.

[@BoxWrench]

@saw426 Yes, any of the valves that are in the closed position will allow you to spin the pushrods in your fingers, but you'll have no up and don't slack if the lash is set properly on a hydraulic lifter. Any of the valves that are open or being held open at all by a camshaft lobe will be too tight in the rocker arm to spin with your fingers.

[@javiermontes3777]

How I can do that with a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GT the same thing my car is a v6

[@BoxWrench]

@StealthNinjaX2 If you have hydraulic lifters, in the short term it will just be the annoyance of the chattering rockers and you're valves will be a couple thousandths of an inch shy of fully opening (but not always). In the long term, you'll begin to wear out the matting surfaces of where the rockers meet the valves or where the cam lobes meet the valves... depending on what type of valve train design you have.

[@mickcarson8412]

This is one of the best valve lash video's I have viewed with reference to a new engine, thank you.

[@BoxWrench]

@lakeboy36111 This is only a short sample clip from a 3 hour DVD. The full length version shows you how to adjust the lash when the intake is installed. It's pretty simple. The pushrods are still going to be reachable just above the cylinder heads and below the rockers. You can roll them in your fingers there, instead of in the lifter valley.

[@redwalsh87]

Older engines (aka pushrod engines) are what need to be rebuilt. This is probably why this is what this video series focuses on...

[@stevemurphy3242]

One of the better Self-Help videos I've seen.

[@BoxWrench]

The lash adjustment method shown here is the only way to cover all bases with multiple make of engines. A GM manual may only apply to a select number of years and cam specs using the #1 TDC and #6 TDC lash adjust method. Our DVDs consider all engine makes and types (including 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder models) and shows a valve lash method that can be used for all engine types. For many GM blocks though, the #1-#6 method works well.

[@BoxWrench]

@aBlascakProduction the rocker will possibly move just a bit but it will feel tight. The pushrod will not move after the initial extra turn, but when any pressure bleeds off inside the lifter and after a few rotations of the engine, the pushrod with spin slightly when the cam lobe is at bottom and the valve is closed. But as soon as the valve starts to open, the pushrod will firm up and will not be able to spin in your fingertips.

[@BoxWrench]

@ktmboy1989 amount of rotation to get to the next cylinder is directly related to the type of engine and crankshaft. The degrees of rotation of a 4 cylinder crankshaft tied to one of two overhead cams compared to an 8 cylinder crankshaft connected to a single cam will be completely unrelated. That's why you look at the valves and their opening events to determine TDC for each cylinder. Only the #1 cylinder is timed to the mark on the balancer/timing cover

[@BoxWrench]

@nicksare If you watch again and pay attention to what is said, you'll realize that we are giving generalized instructions for all types of engine owners to use. The firing order and procedure shown is for small block Chevy, but the instructions say to follow your specific firing order associated with your engine type. With this video, and the engine specs for your block (American V8 engine specs are available at our website) you can perform the same procedure on Ford, Chevy or any other...

[@BoxWrench]

@StanMangler We're glad you found the 'Valve Lash' video portion sample here on KZbin helpful. The clip on YT is just a sample from our full length 'Basic Engine Building' DVD. Let us know if you still had questions after watching the sample clip. There is a lot more information in the complete DVD but we're interested in whether the sample clip alone is helpful enough to get the job done for other applications other than the ones shown.

[@BoxWrench]

Pretty much yes, as you described. You're looking for the closing event of the #1 intake valve though, not the cylinder itself. The cylinder comes up twice through the four strokes, once for compression and the next time for the exhaust stoke, then repeats. With no timing cover in place you'd be able to line up the timing marks and adjust the #1 cylinder only. Then you'd have to determine the closing events of each of the other cylinders to properly adjust them, just follow the firing order.

[@BoxWrench]

soaking the lifters in oil will allow them to pump up a bit quicker but is not a requirement. As soon as oil pressure builds, a set of new lifters will fill quickly under oil pressure and begin to send oil up the pushrods.

[@BoxWrench]

@jasonz28camaro Being able to adjust both valves at the point when the intake closes depends on the type of camshaft you have. In most stock engines with a factory installed 'low-profile' cam, it is safe to adjust both the intake and exhaust at TDC for the particular cylinder. When you have a high performance camshaft, the opening and closing events of the cam lobes are more radical and you need to adjust according to the cam manufacturers specs.

[@BoxWrench]

Hydraulic lifters in combination with rockers are adjusted with too much slack will "chatter" when running. This clacking-chatting noise will be more severe when there is more slack and will be heard coming from under the valve covers as the sounds are created by the slack between the rockers tips and the valve tips as the lifters push and then relax tension on the pushrods. Engines with solid lifters need to keep a bit of clearance between the rockers and valve tips because of heat expansion.

[@slant6guy]

Thanks for having this video here! I with my brother's help am rebuilding a 1980's slant6 in a Dodge D150 shortbed (it's on Wikipedia) and this was a holdup besides the weather here in Alaska in getting the truck back on the road. I learned a lot with this video. THANKS!

[@BoxWrench]

@jujutube123 With solid lifters, you stop turning at 'zero lash' with the correct feeler gauge installed. With hydraulic lifers (roller or flat tappet) you set to 'zero lash' and then add at least a half turn more. Some engines even require a bit more. You may notice the valve open slightly, but as the pressure inside the lifter bleeds off, the valve will return to it's seat. This is all covered in detail in the 3 hours long 'Basic Engine Building' DVD

[@BoxWrench]

@ts46176 yup, this is just a 'sample clip'. this is a 3 minute excerpt from a full length DVD that is over 3 hours long. 'Basic Engine Building' shows complete teardown, machine shop procedures, pre-assembly, final sealing and assembly as well as start-up guidelines... If you're actually going to tinker with any kind of piston engine, it's worth checking out. Thanks for watching the sample though... Glad it was helpful

[@krisantuzzi]

Thanks for this video. Im putting my fiero engine back in and just put the new heads on. This video was a huge help.

[@BoxWrench]

@ktmboy1989 don't determine the valve opening events by rotating the crank only. You should watch the pushrods, rockers or lifters to determine when the valves are actually opening. If you want to adjust lash on an engine that has the heads bolted in place already...just remove the valve covers and you can watch the pushrod ends and valve tips as the opening and closing events happen.

[@BoxWrench]

@brakedd this does apply to roller lifter engine designs as well...as long as they have hydraulic lifters

[@BoxWrench]

@jujutube123 This is the correct procedure for taking a hydraulic lifer to zero lash and then adding the required pre-load to the lifter. The pre-load is set by turning the rocker nut down the extra half turn after reaching zero lash. With solid lifters, you go to zero lash with a specific feeler gauge between the valve tip and the rocker. For hydraulic lifters, you need to do the procedure described here, including the extra half turn.

[@BoxWrench]

@tabletop45 it is best for you to set each cylinder at TDC to tighten even non-adjustable rocker stud type cylinder heads. some engines have a lash tightening sequence that you can follow to minimize the rotations of the engine in order to preserve the moly lube on the camshaft.

[@BoxWrench]

That's correct, you want to add a zinc additive to modern engine oil when you are using a flat tappet camshaft and lifters set.

[@pritepal5594]

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[@wyteboymagik]

agreed, i'm not a big import fan or ford fan for that matter, but i give much respect to anybody putting some wrench time on their rides

[@BoxWrench]

You only need to use a feeler gauge between the rocker tip and valve tip when doing lash on an engine that has Solid Lifters. The majority of engines these days have Hydraulic Lifters that run much more quietly. You set some "pre-load" on the lifters and then oil pressure builds up in the lifter and keeps pressure against the rocker to keep it from chattering while the engine runs. Solid (Mechanical) Lifters generally are a bit chattery sounding, but you do need to run them with clearances.

[@TexasBadBoyz]

This is the best video i have seen on how to adjust rocker arms . Thanks !

[@BoxWrench]

You would only know if you were on the actual TDC for #1 cylinder if you had the heads, valve train + rocker arm installed and were looking for the valve events as described in this video (or the follow up of the Final Assembly of cylinder heads in our DVD). When you're at #1 cylinder closing event of the intake lifter for #1 cylinder (stock camshafts only) you can then adjust the valve lash to "zero" for the #1 intake, add the extra half turn and follow through along the firing order.

[@BoxWrench]

Every one of our videos on KZbin has our web address under the BoxWrench Logo at the top right. Check out our store for engine videos. There are also links in the (more info) area just below the logo that go directly to the videos product pages. Thanks for posting!

[@ExcuseM3]

@ktmboy1989 A quarter turn is correct, since the crank rotates twice to complete a full firing order. The camshaft rotates at half-crank speed, so 1/4 crank turn = 1/8 cam turn = next piston tdc firing.

[@wayne007nz]

ktmboy is correct, you can set all valves with only 2 rotations of the engine, this saves the cam lobs and bigend bearings in a total engine rebuild.

[@stevenfrith5454]

finally, somebody got it right. This is the best way to adjust your valve lash, never had any issues in over 40 years of wrenching on cars!!

[@MrElPoderozo1]

Best how to video on valve lash settings for sure. Thanks.

[@peterviceroy1592]

This video will get you to the point where you can fire up the engine. But once the engine is up to temperature, you have to adjust the lifters again a second time while the engine is running in order to make max power. On solids, use a feeler gauge while the engine is running. On hydraulic, you tighten down till you just get lifter noise. Then back up a quarter turn. For racing you can adjust to where it just starts to tick. Use oil deflectors or cut away on old valve cover.

[@BoxWrench]

@jujutube123 The half turn is fine for an average 'hydraulic' lifter. It may seem like too much if the valve begins to open just a bit... but if you put a dial indicator on the tip of the valve, add the half turn and watch the valve open...in a couple minutes the pressure will bleed off in the lifter and the valve will return to it's seat. Pretty much all hydraulic lifters behave this way.

[@28704joe]

2:20 "If you had a gauge installed" to measure the pressure in the lifter.....how in the world is that set up?

[@sojournsojourntraveler1203]

I have a 1974 Buick 350 and no adjustments on the rocker arms . Just the 4 bolts that hold the rocker arm assembly in place . What to do ?

[@franciscotrujillo4961]

La arandela cóncava q se coloca entre la tuerca y el balancín debe de tener un poco holgura? Si entra ajustada sin juego , podría producir fallo de cierre de válvula?

[@HRIservicesllcSturgeonBay]

Excellent video and website, I have found that one revolution after free play is gone equates to approximately 0.060" between the bottom of the lifter snap ring and the top of the lifter seat. If you like second check stuff like I do, you can verify they are all the same with a piece of wire with a bend on one end approximately 3/32". A 1/16" diameter piece of stainless steel weld wire works good for this as it is 0.0625". Of course you need to have the intake removed to do this, and this dimension may be different with different lifter manufacturers. This is just a second check to verify they are close to all the same.

[@BoxWrench]

@cacthuptoit if you have hydraulic lifters, yes this is the procedure.

[@BoxWrench]

By the way...My reply above that your pushrods are too long is based on my assumption that your roller rocker tips are getting close to rolling off of the valve tip side that is closest to the outside of the engine (the exhaust exit side of the head). If your pushrods are too short, the the roller tips would be closer to the intake manifold side of the valve tips.

[@El91637]

Nicely done. A clear and concise explanation. Thanks.

[@enginemasterbuilder]

you can start the engine up with special made valve pans. run it and not have oil spray on you. and really hear if the engine has a few backed off

[@ts46176]

sample clip? i pulled my valve covers off my chevy 4.3 and did exactly what the video showed, went from sounding like its going to blow up to being so quiet you can barely hear it running, if this is just a sample what else could be involved? seems pretty complete to me, hope it is anyway lol

[@BoxWrench]

Do you mean, how can you hear the chatter while the engine is running...? You would notice it even with the hood closed.

[@72fordmaverick]

what does the rotation look like for a 250 CI straight six???any idea?got some valves and rods that need adjusting.

[@robertanderson7049]

Does a Buick Lesabre 3800 V6 have valve adjustments?

[@JahanZeb1976]

Excellent video with excellent information. Keep up great work. There is a lot in this video to learn. Regards,

[@berfsmith6196]

Just had head work done on big block Chevy. On 1st start sounds like squeaky noise. What went wrong? How can one tell if I have solid or hydraulic?

[@Bassplayingboy]

How do I determine if my lifters are bad or the rocker arms need ajusting? The enginer is a 2.9L V six 200k mile and nothing has been done to the engine. I hear some ticking sometimes when the engine is cold then it goes away. It is expecially bad if the truck has not been run for a few days. The oil pressure is OK and the lifters are hydolic. I put some heavier oil in the engine and seems to help. Will I need to adjust the rockers after lifter replace? Shane

[@aBlascakProduction]

will the actual rocker be able to move a little after the half turn, or will it be tight enough to not move around on the stud?

[@jennifertripp8994]

Best video I've ever seen on valves anyone can do this the way u explain it thanks

[@Psi4tsi]

@SchizoFilms theres no pushrods in an OHC engine. The Camshaft itself is was opens the valves.

[@19LivetoDrive80]

Thanks for the help! But... the roller tips aren't rolling off the intake manifold or exhaust side of the valve tips, its side to side, or from firewall to engine fan. Any ideas? Thanks again

[@jasonz28camaro]

so can you adjust both rockers for each cylinder at the point in the video where you only did the intake?

[@jeffreyhowarth7850]

Adjust valves by ear as engine is idling?

[@saw426]

Hi , i just changed my lower intake gaskets and checked out the push rods , im able to spin them with my fingers but theres no up and down play in the push rod , should they be spinning like that ?

[@StealthNinjaX2]

my engine makes a clicking noise when cold, i think my valves need to be adjusted, what problems can occur if i dont adjust right away?

[@lakeboy36111]

hey great video, im just wondering how to get the zero lash with both valves closed with the intake manifold on without being able to see the lifters. Im guessing its aot harder to eyeball where the rockers are sitting? I just had one head done on a older chev 350. Not too sure.

[@tazztt1]

@lakeboy36111 ... 1 - note #1 plug wire position and pull the distributor cap, 2 - rotate the engine to #1 TDC (rotor @#1 and timing mark on balancer @0deg, 3 - adjust i&e rockers to 0 lash then add 1/2 turn, 4 - rotate the crank 1/4 turn (90 deg) and watch for the #8 i rocker to drop and stop then adj i&e rockwers to 0 lash then add 1/2 turn, 5 - repeat and adjust cylinders 4-3-6-5-7 and 2, in that order. You will only have to rotate the crank a total of 630 deg (1-3/4 turns).

[@Mvelez22]

Ok you talked about setting each cylinder intake to its lower position now do adjust both intake and exhaust for that cylinder?

[@tazztt1]

@ktmboy1989 ... 90 degrees or 1/4 turn for each following cylinders... the crank must be turned twice for each one full revolution of the cam

[@Duddie82]

I bought a 1978 Camaro with a 350 engine, But with a 2 barrel carb setup, Once I removed the 2 barrel carb and intake, i noticed two push rods extremely loose. Before removing the 2 barrel setup, I marked the timing, s. So I am thinking I will need to remove the Valve cover and tighten the two loose push rods.. Is that going to work? Of course, it was easier to work on that with the intake off, but that was not possible, I will need to make sure those cylinders are on Compression mode.

[@rick8758]

This video was very helpful as I am doing a complete rebuild on my very first egine unassisted.. Thanks

[@TheGazdik]

so if im thinking right, you adjust to zero lash then give it another half turn?

[@BoxWrench]

@sschevypwrbb You may be ok, but it's a better idea to go back through and do the proper lash adjustment. The tell tale sign with be if you have a chattering sounding top end. If your valves are all clacking away at the rockers, you should redo the lash adjustment.

[@andrewsybert9236]

Excellent video Its been so long since I've done this thanks for helping to refresh my memory lol

[@blueoval331]

these guys are very imformative.

[@SouthForkEnduro]

you rotate the engine an eighth of a turn to get to the next valve right not a quarter, right?

[@brakedd]

does all of this apply to late model (1990) small block ford adjustment as well? its a roller motor

[@markcolegrove2360]

Best explanation I've seen.Thanks for the great simple video.cheers mate!

[@chevydually454]

Something I neededd to know, thank you for posting.

[@zeeconstructions]

effects of engin change on the transmition? i changed my diesel 2400 engin with 2400 petrol engin but kept the transmission same .on my mitsubishi pajero 88 three door ..

[@grkstd1967]

if u over tighten the valve by 1/4 turn will that affect the timing at all,,thanks

[@TrojanHorseXX]

what about the feeler guage? don't you need to follow spec's for at least .001 clearnce?

[@weelgunny]

Yes, with higher oil pressure filling em up. I've learned as much since then. Thanks.

[@joezuerlein4358]

hello could you tell me my 4.3 has a lifter noise warm idle right side ticking maybe lifter could you adjust them when the motor is running also will it damage the cam

[@ANSPS49AV1]

Adjustable rockers are not tightened to a torque spec. If you did tighten them like that, then the hydraulic lifter would be bottomed out, defeating the purpose of having a hydraulic lifter. The valve could then potentially be held open.

[@chevydually454]

lerlo, What do you think a Holden is? It's a Chevrolet with a slightly different skin. They are GM. As for this video, great job, keep them coming.

[@blas8960]

Love your video.

[@finscreenname]

I just mark the balancer north, east, south and west from the timing mark then rotate the motor to each cylinder's firing position and then set that cylinder's valves.

[@grkstd1967]

is the diagram at 2;48 the same as a chevy 350

[@SuperBaseball53]

After i do the half turn should i be able to spin the pushrod?

[@19LivetoDrive80]

You guys have some great vids! I have a 67 Mustang with a 302 out of a later model. It has aluminum heads and roller rockers, and Im having a problem with the roller tips being too far to the side of the valve stems, and some of them are close to rolling off the sides. How can I correct this? Thanks for the help

[@teneilwashington9934]

One of the best explained and demonstrated vids I've seen. #likedandsubscribed

[@stevejohnson7165]

How long before hydraulic lifter sets down?

[@adrianwilson1944]

Thanks for the video. I knew how to adjust valve but I didn't know to follow the firing order.

[@zainpakistan1797]

Can i tappet adjust by this method on gm 4.3 vortec v6

[@grucu]

This procedure I should use with lifters full of oil or empty?

[@thegreekguyviva-greece5881]

You should let your lifters sit upright in engine oil before installing em. Don't need to plunge em or anything, the air will escape and they're good

[@grucu]

thanks !

[@KENARDO]

So, what about Overhead Camshafts?

[@devicetrickz]

WHAT if I did this method and some of the rocker arms are still slightly loose? Did I not hit zero lash properly?

[@bryanjuranek3012]

Either you are not in the # 1 firing position or you are not taking the slack out of the push rod correctly . If I was guessing I would probably say you are not in the # 1 firing position.

[@devicetrickz]

Bryan Juranek it looked like I was in the right firing order for cylinder #1

[@bryanjuranek3012]

@@devicetrickz you could have a bent push rod or a lifter that is failing , or a cam that is going flat . Any of the above can give you problems with loose push rods .

[@BoxWrench]

@Roger Riekki , is it possible that your socket was resting on the rocker arm nut during tightening to zero lash as mentioned in the video? That would cause some rocker arms (random few out of total of 16 for a V8 engine) to seem loose after going through full valve train. The video suggests holding the socket up and away from the top of the rocker nut to avoid pinching... Does this seem related to your issue?

[@bryanjuranek3012]

When I set lifters I lift the sock up on the nut about 3/16 of an inch so that you are not pushing down on the rocker arm . If push down with your socket it won't work right .

[@jayr122001]

how much does it cost to replace a broken valve in nissan altima 1998 model ?

[@captn_hanky]

Why do I have to adjust anything? I thought the hydro lifter are doing that automatically.

[@johnyjoe2k]

Wow, great vid! Do you guys do Inlines? Would love to see some BoxWrench vids on imported engines like Inline 4's and 6's or boxer engines.

[@reapslifingers]

is it possibly solid lifters?

[@cacthuptoit]

Hey nice video, i was wondering if this is the same for a 351 windsor I'm installing a comp cam 512 exhaust lift and I am useing 1.6 roller rocker arms

[@karenjmaciel]

while turning the camshaft, the firing order in the video would apply to any v8 engines?

[@BoxWrench]

Post a video...we'd love to see others share their expertise. We'll even add it as a favorite on our channel.

[@rcfirdy]

Finding this "zero lash" position by feel is influenced by too many variables which allows a degree of inconsistancy.I'll pass on a tip that was shown to me by Barry Seton in 1985.Adjust the valve clearance to 5 thou.,then turn the the rocker nut down 3/4 of a turn.Thank you for reading.