I adjusted my 1.6rr when engine was not running (1/2 to 3/4 turn after zero lash). How to recognize is rockers are too tight? I tried to adjust them when engine was running, but my exhaust is too loud and I didn’t head any clacking. Is there a visual way to recognize that they should be adjusted?

 

They are too tight when you start breaking them

Just turn them 1/2 to 3/4 turn past zero lash (no up and down movement of pushrod) and you be fine.

 

IMHO, as we have hydraulic lifters, if you are adjusting while the engine is off you should zero lash the lifters. Tighten them down until the push rod has no up down movement with some light tension while spinning the pushrod. Tighten down the jam nut without anymore turn of the adjust nut.

Now if the engine is running loosen nut till rocker starts clacking, tighten it down until clackin stops and turn 1/4 turn more.

Diiference between the two techniques is the lifters will not be pumped up when the motor is off. After adjusting the lifters while motor is off, start the motor, lifters will pump up and take up the 1/4 turn slack you did not turn. While the motor is running the lifters will stayed hydraulically pumped up, no need to adjust for the pump up.

Now, how to tell if they are too tight, car will have a hard time starting and will not run all that well. You will be down on power. Your rockers will clack as they are noisy even when properly adjusted.

Hope this helps

Ken

 

While true there will be no oil pressure inside the lifters when the engine is not running, there is a spring that will let you know when you reach zero lash. You still must add the preload (1/4, 1/2 or whatever you want). If you leave them at zero lash, there is not going to be any "pumping up" that will add any preload when the engine is started. The adjustment will be way loose, noisy and could cause potential damage if a rocker were to come off a pushrod.

 

I tried to adjust mine on my own and they seemed fine. I had a local shop do them right before the F-body Gathering, just to be sure. He said the ones that weren't claking were way to tight. So I had both ends of the spectrum. If I were you, I would let someone experinced do them, or show you how to do them. Just to be sure. I declared the day I picked the car up, the best day of owning my car ever! Massive power difference. I have had alot of trouble with my car, ask anyone here. Now it is a beast, I stayed fender to fender with a friends bolt on LS1 on the way to Atlanta, I only have LT4 hotcam and LT headers and a couple of small things.

 

Just do a 1/4 to 1/2 turn and you will be ok....