97 Lumina

[85mustangGT]

Replacing my LIM gasket on my 97 3.1, one book tells me to torque the rocker arms to 14 ft. lbs. + 30 degrees, another book tells me to torque them to 89 in. lbs. + 30 degrees.

Question
1. Are 89 in. lbs and 14 ft. lbs the same?
2. What is this "+ 30 degrees"? would that be the same as additional 1/4 turn?

Thanks in advance

[Airjer_]

the year is what makes the difference. 98-2000 is 14 foot pounds + additional 30 degrees. 360 degrees is a full circle 30 degrees is one third of 90 degrees. To do this accurately you need to use a torque angle gauge.

When the guys with lesser experience did these at the shop before we all had the tool we had problems with the rockers working there way loose especially the rolling rocker design which uses a bolt. We soon figured out that it was more common if the manifold was removed at the end of the day and reinstalled the next morning. Everything was torqued to spec and supervised to eliminate any inexperience errors. This never happened when they where removed and installed in a normal service period (the time to clean the mating surfaces and install the new gasket). Our theory was that oil was wicking its way into the rocker posts when the rockers where left loose and somehow causing the problem?

The easier way is to buy the rocker arm tool from lisle. It will pull up on the rockers and allow you to remove the pushrods without removing/loosening the rockers. Its a huge time saver as well as makes the job a lot easier.

Make sure you note that the pushrods are two different lengths!

14 foot pounds would equal 168 inch pounds.

[85mustangGT]

I have already removed the rocker arms and pushrods. Day late dollar short.
Guess my 97 would be the 89 in. lbs + 30 degree.

I am also going to replace the lifters while I am this deep into the motor, what about lifter preload, should I soak them overnight in oil?

Should I use some lock-tight on the rocker arm bolts so they do not work themselves loose?

Thnks

[manicmechanix]

Originally Posted by 85mustangGT

I am also going to replace the lifters while I am this deep into the motor, what about lifter preload, should I soak them overnight in oil?

No, that's not necessary filling the lifters with oil is just going to make it more likely you don't get the rocker torque down good. Just put a film of oil or assembly lube on the lifter contacts.

Should I use some lock-tight on the rocker arm bolts so they do not work themselves loose?

Thnks

No, if you torque the bolts properly they won't come loose. the thread locker wouldn't help much in this situation anyway.