i installed some gm 1.6 roller rockers on my 97 camaro and ive attempted to tighten them twice now. once when i installed them and again when i was getting a minor knocking from underneith the valve covers, the second time i tightened them i followed my chiltons book and put cyclinder one at top dead center and then adjusted the following rockers that it said, zero lash then 3/4 turn and then torqued the supplied center backout nut to 19 foot lbs at first the engine runs smoothly then after getting up on it for a duration of 50 to 100 miles it starts knocking all over the place more like a tapping sound. if any one can offer some advice i would really appreciate it.

 

are you sure they are clearing the valve covers?

 

well thats a possibility i will have to look into that, that would be a pain if i had to change those out cause i think that the altenator will get in the way of new style valve covers. some guys at a local shop said that the they would work with stock covers though, i dont know if they did any fabricating to them though, thanks

 

You gotta bend the little tabs on the inside braces of the valve covers. Crimp them up. They come down and are L shaped. You need to bend the L up to make it straight. It gives you about 1/16" more clearance, all you need for most all rocker set ups.