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valves too tight?

big dan

big dan

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I swapped in a new cam last night and we adjusted it and got it running. drove it for a minute and had a valve rattling so I stopped and re adjusted the valves. I normally do it with the engine running and have no problem but seeing as I put in a new cam I wanted it to fire up and run right off so I didnt kill the cam. its idling really rough, doesnt pull any vaccum and when you put it gear and give it gas the engine doesnt spin any faster. the guy that told me how to adjust the valves said to get the piston at tdc on the compression stroke then tighten till you couldnt spin the pushrod and then go another 1/4 of a turn.

personally I think I got them too tight using this method and need some help. I was always told to tighten till there was drag on the push rod but he said to tighten till you cant spin it. please tell me that I just got the valves too tight and dont have some other serious problem. thanks
 
Adjusting the valves on a cylinder that is on TDC (compression stroke) is ok.

The spec is to tighten the rocker down until there is 0 lash (slight drag while trying to spin the pushrod). Then 1/2-3/4 turn after that.
 
I just adjusted mine via information from people here on CK5. I did it with the engine cold and got each cylinder to TDC and tightened the rocker down until the pushrod had the slightest bit of rolling resistance and then i tightened another 1/4 turn. Is this ok or did I overtighten my valves.
 
mrdrinksalil said:
I just adjusted mine via information from people here on CK5. I did it with the engine cold and got each cylinder to TDC and tightened the rocker down until the pushrod had the slightest bit of rolling resistance and then i tightened another 1/4 turn. Is this ok or did I overtighten my valves.
Click to expand...
You undertightened them. I adjust mine 1/2 turn past 0 lash.

The valves won't hang open until more than ~1 turn past 0 lash.
 
38377k5 said:
You undertightened them. I adjust mine 1/2 turn past 0 lash.

The valves won't hang open until more than ~1 turn past 0 lash.
Click to expand...

sb, i go 1/2...

bb. i go 1/4...
 
When I adjust my valves I tighten the valve that is currently on the base circle of the cam until it's BOTH tough to turn the pushrod and there is no up and down clearance at all. Then I tighten it 1/2 turn more. Then I rotate the crank until there is another lifter on the base circle and repeat until all 16 valves are adjusted properly.
 
Did you run in the cam before you drove it ? I hope you did not fire it up and drive it without breaking in the cam. Did you use LOTS of assembly lube?
You should start the engine in neutral/park and run in the cam in at various rpms from 1500 to 3000. for 15 to 20 minutes before driving. You can flatten the lobes if you dont.
 
yes I most certainly did break in the cam and used lots of lube on it. I always get scared when installing cams cause they cost money and its a pain to install so I dont wanna have to go back and do it again.

turns out my valves were too tight and I tried several methods that I learned from here but it still didnt seem right. after I got it adjusted as best I could I had an experienced mechanic come by and listen and check it. he said I did good on the adjustment and we pulled it apart to make sure my cam was still good and all is well.

tonight he is going to bring me another carb and a timing light cause he said my carb was bad and he wants to set my timing the correct way rather than by ear. Ive never let anybody work on my truck before but I trust this guy and Im very frustrated. thanks for all the help guys, hopefully it turns out good with correct timing and a good carb.
 
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