2.8 correct valve adjustment

[HotRod53]

What is the proper proceedure for adjusting valves on an "89 Chevy Camaro w/2.8? We had an intake leak and had to remove the pushrods. I was told roll the motor to #1 TDC and adjust a valve sequence by spinning the pushrod and tightening the rocker until it doesn't spin and then add 1.5 turns. I did this and the motor won't start. I can tell by looking that the rockers are tighter than they were when I tore it down.

[molhannah]

First off, if you haven't got it started as yet don't try un til you are sure that the rockers aren't over tightened. Loosen them until there is a little rattle when each pair, one intake and one exhaust are in the closed position. You can do this by rotating the engine by hand with a socket on the dampner. Watch the valves open and close, when the pair for each cylinder are both up see that the push rod has just a slight resistance, to much and you will bend the push rod. Also you said it wouldn't start, tell me the distributor might be in the wrong spot. If it was removed and it probably was, you need to rotate the engine until the timing marks line up and the #1 piston is ready to fire. The easy way for this is remove #1 spark plug rotate dampned watch for timing marks and with your finger in the plug hloe you should fell the compression blowing your finger out, then watch for the timing makes to line up and replace the distributor with the rotor pointing to where the #1 would be on the cap. This is a little tricky sometimes because the gear and the oil pump shaft don't like to fall into place, just start lining them ahead of where you want it to end up. No back to adjusting. Heres some procedures. Engine RUNNING Hydraulic Lifter Adjustment:
Ok, so you really like messes? This has to be one of the most miserable maintenance procedures if you do not properly plan ahead.

Some helpful hints:

Adjust only one side of the engine at a time.

Use oil restrictors on the rocker arms, or better yet a butchered up valve cover that has an access cut into the top of it to facilitate adjustment access.

Stay calm ... you WILL get burnt, you WILL make a mess and you WILL not look forward to doing this again, especially if you screw up the first time.

Using a mechanic's stethoscope can substantially make this procedure easier

Adjusting hydraulic lifters with the engine running is not one of my favorite activities (as you can tell). With the above considerations taken care of, start the engine and loosen one of the rockers. You should hear it just start to "clatter". Slowing tighten it down until the "clatter" just stops and then turn it 1/4 - 1/2 turn additional to set the pintle depth. Continue on all the valves. If you hear excessive noises or the vehicle runs crappy you will be doing the procedure again. As stated above, if you have access to a mechanic's stethoscope, you can set the end at the top of the rocker stud to listen to the noise a loose adjustment makes, which will make finding "zero" lash easier.

NOTE: If you make a mess, PLEASE check your oil level once you are done.