Bad lifters,adjusting valves....

I have a stock 350,1989 chevy pickup 2500 4x4. and i´ve had some issues with my valves when trying to adjust them. Now im guessing that my lifters are bad, when adjusting the valves and pushrod, tightening them until the pushrod stops floating between my fingers and so on. But everytime i tried it i seem to be tightening them to much so im guessing that my lifters are worn, the pushrod goes down to far becouse the spring in the lifter is to worn... So is anyway to adjust the valves bestides the method thats described in the books? The one i tried out? Tried adjusting the valves with the car running but im having a hard time hearing when the start clattering....Plus all the oil that keeps pumping out on the headers :)

Thanks for all the help!

I have a stock 350,1989 chevy pickup 2500 4x4. and i´ve had some issues with my valves when trying to adjust them. Now im guessing that my lifters are bad, when adjusting the valves and pushrod, tightening them until the pushrod stops floating between my fingers and so on. But everytime i tried it i seem to be tightening them to much so im guessing that my lifters are worn, the pushrod goes down to far becouse the spring in the lifter is to worn... So is anyway to adjust the valves bestides the method thats described in the books? The one i tried out? Tried adjusting the valves with the car running but im having a hard time hearing when the start clattering....Plus all the oil that keeps pumping out on the headers :)

Thanks for all the help!
Make sure you have the adjustable lifters.
Some time you run into solid lifter on a hot rod engine.

When adjusting running.
Losen the up wtill you feel or hear them click a little or push rod spin free.
The tighten down slow.

Give the a 1/4 at a time and wait a while for adjustment the adjust down to 1/2 or 3/4 turn down and wait and see if the re adjust.

If not try the repair book engine not run procedure.

The repair book procedure is for all new lifters , once pumped up ( quote from friend owns eng rebulld shop) the messy old school way the way to go as you discribe. Stickman as I was typing you placed above post I went to site VERY INTERESTING once valve on 350 adj wrong real pain but you posted site looks great I have 93 caddy 350 I wanted to do (someone did wrong before I bought #3 wasnt even fireing was so tight) did that one so I could drive will try your way.

Is this occuring with all the rocker arms , or just a chosen few . the rocker studs are pressed into the heads and the may be pulling out of the head
bosses increasing the clearance .