Ok i adjusted my rockers with the car off but i did it wrong.. i wasnt sure on zero lash for a couple of them... so i believe i put them too tight.. So im going to readjust them... Do u think its easier / better to adjust them with the car running???

 

It's alot less messy with the car off.

If you do it right, then there's no problem. You should try to learn how to do it right with the car off.

BTW: The only way to do it right with the car off is to put each cylinder (one at a time obviously) at TDC on the compression stroke (NOT the exhaust/intake stroke) and adjust that cylinder.

-Dave C. '97 Z28

 

Both.

After setting them up with the engine off, I do it again with it fully warmed up and running. I think this is the most accurate way and at least in my experience - it's really not that messy.

 

I did it with the car on, absolutely no oil spilled over during idle. Easiest way by far.

 

You got lucky! LOL

It's much easier with the car off IMHO.

 

You should have just made this a poll. What one person likes, another doesn't. There are at least 4 methods to adjust the rockers and they all work. One method does not have an advantage over another except in the matter of personal preference. Try different ones and decide what you like.

 

I did it with the car off and i did it wrong i didnt' know how to find TDC lol and i was looking at the crank and i couldn't find the indicator (i had barely any room since i had no jack in my garage). I finally adjusted them all with the car running and all was well. Oil wasn't spitting anywhere but it was sorta dripping over the rim of the heads onto the headers and the car smoked for about 1-2 hours and smelled like burnt oil for about 3 days. I had to hook my alternator back up to run the car since my battery would die like 5 minutes into it running but that's because my battery needs to be replaced. Also i had to wait until the next day to assemble everything back together since it was hot as hell and i kept getting burnt.

 

Remember, if you go down just a pinch to far, you will need to back out the rocker all the way until you hear a rattle or have "play" with the push rod. Then begin to tighten again. Do not back it off a 1/4 etc without backing all of the way out first or you will have adjustment issues (and related symptoms).

 

I must have gotten lucky four times then....

 

One of the "old school" ways was to take an old valve cover and a di grinder and cut out the center around the sides of valve covers. Then when you do it by the engine runnin it cuts down on the oil sling.

 

lol that's funny because i was thinking of getting a spare set to do that because i adjusted mine like 4 times before i did it right lol. Live and learn i guess. I was adjusting the screw inside the nut wrong and they were coming loose on me.

 

With the car on is the way to go!

Allot better to sound it out

 

thanks for the advice guys.

 

That's great, if you have the old school rocker covers with the bolts in the sides. But the center bolt ones make it kind of hard to not have a top on them.

One way to avoid mess is to cut a piece of cardboard and wedge it along between your valve springs and the head rail. But even though it can be done this way, I still think it's much better with the car off....that way if the phone rings or you have to stop for some reason, it's no big deal. Plus, everything doesn't get hot as mentioned above so you can reassemble everything easily.

 

Running. I never could get it right with the car off. Also, they make little clips that clip on the rockers that block the oil while you are adjusting. Takes time to put them on and take them off, and a few bucks to buy them, so may not be worth it. Worked for me though