How do you know how much preload to put on the lifters? With all the searching i've done, the only answers i could come up with are between 1/16th and a full turn. But how do you know if they're too loose or too tight? I know if they're too loose they'll make alot of noise, but mine seem to sound the same between the min. and max. adjustments. Any thoughts?

 

The least amount of preload you need to make them quiet is one way to look at it. Otherwise as close to zero preload/lash as possible.

Bret

 

I used to go 1/4 turn with the stockers and it kept the valvetrain pretty quiet. With the comp rs I try to keep it as close to zero lash as possible.

 

Depends on the lifters. The Comp Cams R lifters are very sensitive to preload and require very little (1/16 - 1/8 turn). Stock lifters are between 1/2 - 1 turn.

 

how do you determine when u have zero lash? when the pushrod no longer moves up/down or when it no longer spins freely?

 

I do mine when the push rod no longer spins freely. You can't go by the up and down. You will be able to feel it when the push rod starts dragging.

 

Go here and look up the procedure ya will learn a lot.

http://shbox.com/page/index.html

 

The key word is "starts" dragging. If you tighten it down until the pushrod doesn't spin at all, you're already past zero lash. Zero lash is the point where the parts are line to line, no play up and down. Once to start to push down on the pushrod past this line to line condition, you are applying preload. The trick is that hydraulic lifters have a spring in them that can be soft so it's a touch thing to know that you're not moving the spring when your hunting for zero lash.