Adjusting Rocker Arms.

[Rich]

My 93 Caprice w/350 has the lifter tick thing going on. Blue smoke and all. The engine has to last 2-3 more months before my new 330HP 350ci(I just ordered it) can be installed, as I wont have access to a garage and I will need to do all the work outside.

Anyways, I was told that I could "Adjust" my Rocker Arms and that may help for a while. Ive never worked with the rockers before, and I am wondering how in-depth this would be. If it requires me pulling the engine, then it is not worth it.

Anyone care to explain the procedure?

Thanks.

[0utlaw]

Lifter adjustment- I like to adjust them warm and running.
In your case, it sounds like the lifter is dirty or the hard face is worn off the cam. Smoke out the exhaust may be rings or valve guides.
To adjust a chevy V-8, first determine which side of the engine is clicking. Remove the valve cover and start engine. ( engine should be just a little bit warm and off choke) Using an old heater hose, listen to determine which lifter is noisy and note position. Using the 3/8 drive and socket, tighten adjusting nut while engine is running slowly. while listening to click.It should almost disapppear. Oil will drip on your manifold and make smoke, so move quickly.
If the engine labors too much , you are getting too tight. My favorite trick is to tighten till click just goes away, shut off engine and then turn 1/3 turn more. Then reassemble. If you are adjusting all of one side, it saves lots of time. If you have trouble determining which is clicking, use the hose to listen to each one as you adjust it.
Good luck with your Chevy project.

I have a 87 Iroc Z28 305, 73 Corvette 350, 69 Nova SS427 and a supercharged 400 40 Ford Pickup.

[The Dude]

Hey outlaw i dont think he has solid lifters. Hey Hummerman you probaly got "self adjusting lifters" or aka Hydraulic lifters. If its broke you cant fix it. Dont worry about it a broken lifter can last a hella long time. If you smoken oil you got problem with bad rings or bad valve seals.

[0utlaw]

Hey Dude,
The method I described was for hydraulic lifters. Solid lifters require a feeler gage.

Hey everyone - check out my blind friends truck-it will blow you away.
http://www.autoexpress.co.za/index.p...o=001234760102

[The Dude]

Im just saying why should he be adjusting hydraulic lifters?
Cuz they are obviously broken and the only reason to be adjusting lifters are if they are solid.

[0utlaw]

I think your right Dude- I'm so used to fixing things right away that listening to a noisy lifter for a couple of months might ultimately send me to the rubber room at the sanitarium!

[TrvlynAlec]

if your lifters are messed up, and ticking, will it mess up your engine if you dont fix them? Also my friends car has hydraulic lifters, and it ticks, however he said that he hasnt driven it in awhile, and when he starts driving it again(in the summer) it will go away. is this true?

[0utlaw]

From OUTLAW
Hydraulic lifters-
If your friend has an engine that , when started now, ticks VERY SLIGHTLY, and in 30 minutes of running time does not clear up, and the noise definitely comes from lifters, not just a slight exhaust leak- (makes similar sound), he probably has lifters that have varnish in them. If this same engine ran good last year with no noise, chances are a small dose of Rislone or similar brand name product ( used to clean lifters) combined with a fresh oil change, will free up the offending plunger (s) .( Remember, I said slight lifter noise.)
Noisy lifters results from many problems: dirty oil/ wrong viscosity oil/ short trip where oil is not warmed up/ improper adjustment/ soft cams/ rocker arm alignment problems/ high rpm abuse/ using old lifters on a new cam/ improper break in of new cam /cam out of time where valves contact pistons and push rods bend/ and like your friend says, lifter bleed down during storage..
You are right- excessive noise in the valve train leads to damage.

[TrvlynAlec]

So how long can the engine go with messed up lifters? My lifters make alot of noise sometimes and other times it doesnt make much at all. It all started when I didnt let my car warm up(it wasnt many times), about 6 months ago..And high rpms are needed on my car(1.6L 4 banger), especially when getting on the highway, isnt the engine made to take the abuse though. I mean most of the power is in high rpms anyway. thanks for the info

[0utlaw]

TrvlynAlec
AF Newbie



YOU WROTE:
Registered: Jan 2002
Vehicle: '88 Toyota Corolla FX16 GTS Liftback
Location: IN, USA
Posts: 35
Offline
So how long can the engine go with messed up lifters? My lifters make alot of noise sometimes and other times it doesnt make much at all. It all started when I didnt let my car warm up(it wasnt many times), about 6 months ago..And high rpms are needed on my car(1.6L 4 banger), especially when getting on the highway, isnt the engine made to take the abuse though. I mean most of the power is in high rpms anyway. thanks for the info
From OUTLAW-
Originally, this post was discussing Chevy V-8 hydraulic lifter problems which I'm somewhat familar. ( I have 4 of them)
I'm sorry but I'm not familar with Toyota 1.6 4 cylinders although, generally, with proper maintenance, I've heard they are pretty much trouble-free..
My guess-
If you are getting occasional, excessive noise from your engines valvetrain, enough to prompt you into writing the above question, I would guess there is a significant enough problem that needs your attention. Try a TOYOTA FORUM..