Hi all, I put a new Goodwrench 5.7 in my 1999 Suburban about 15000 miles ago. The engine runs fine but sound like there is a brigade of wooden soldiers under the valve covers. I pulled the valve covers and the rockers were all loose. So I read my manual and it says to tighten the rocker 'til the push rod has resistance then tighten it 3/4 turn more. So I rotated the engine like manual said and tightened them 1/4 turn, because I believed the 3/4 turn is for new installation and I really don't want to burn a valve or two. The thing is all the rattle went away for a day and returned, not quite as much, but there none the less. Do you think I should take them down the last 1/2 turn? Or back each one off and re-adjust from the start with the resistance plus 3/4 turn?

Thanks,
Eric

 

I had the same problem when I redid my truck. Is there Pushrod guides on it? Did you roll the engine over to top dead center and adjust 1,2,5,7 intake valves and 3,4,8 exhaust then roll it over 160 degrees and adjust the rest? If so what I ended up doing on mine is buying rocker stoppers(Things that clip to your rockers and plugs the hole in the pushrod to keep oil from spraying) Then loosen each one till it ticks then tighten it just till it stops ticking then 3/4 turn more. This is the messy way but it will assure you that they are adjusted right! Mine kept coming loose and sliiping off of the pushrod untill I got pushrod guides! Hope this helps!

 

Yes, I did the whole TDC thing and adjusted the appropiate valves at that crank position, according to the manual. Then rotated the engine 360 deg. and adjusted the appropriate valves at that position, according to the manual. I was just kind of unsure as to whether I should take them down the full 3/4 turn since it was already "shaken down". Seems like I should have. It would be a pretty big pain to start mine up and adjust them with it running, because I would have to put alot of thing back in place to start the engine that I had to take off to get the valve covers off. I thing I will just turn the crank to the TDC and follow the manual just like it says. I was just worried about getting them to tight and burning a valve. I have alway heard that can happen. Don't know for sure if that is the case. Thanks for the help.

Eric

 

The 3/4 turn is to center the lifter plunger. Has nothing to do w/ wear. I always do hydraulics the messy way cuz then I know.

 

Its not that messy with rocker stoppers!

 

It is in a Corvette cuz the engine is tilted and oil runs out the rear corner.

 

that's the way I was taught to do them also...