You can also get a set of rocker stoppers. They clip onto the rockers and prevent oil from flying around. They work very well.

I always adjust the valves before putting the covers on. It takes a very praticed touch. But if you turn the engine in sequence like doing a manual valve adjust, you can adjust hyd valves as well. Make sure you are off of the cam lobe and set the adjustment to zero lash, then go one more turn. 1/2 turn on old lifters. And your done. You can put on the valve covers before ever starting the engine.

But it is touchy. If you don't get the exact zero lash with NO preload on the lifter, you will screw it up. Very very touchy.

I always do this. I very rarely recommend anyone else do it. It takes pratice. But done right, it's much easier and cleaner. No smoke. No mess. No hassle. And it's easier to put the covers on a cool clean engine.

Ken is right about the adjustment of the lifters, but you had better be comfortable with the whole idea and be careful doing it. Several times I have done it the way he mentioned and actually had no tapping when the engine was started up. The flip side is that you have to be careful that you don't have them too tight or you will have real problems REAL fast.

I used the rocker oil stopper clips and did not have great sucess with them, I am alwas uneasy with metal parts that might find there way into the top of my engine before I catch them. I adjust the lifter clearance the best I can with the engine off (not running) and then using my "open in the very center covers" bolted down with gaskets in place I still loosen the lifters to hear them just start to tap and then close them up barely just enough for the ticking to stop. I am hard of hearing so I use a engine/mechanics sthethascope and listen to the valve I am fine tuning. After I do one side I take off the modified valve cover and replace it with a permanent one and then I do the other side the same way.

My heads have screens installed in the holes that let the oil flow back down into the block. I have them fastened in securely (epoxied) on the heads and the lifter pan wherever things might find their way into harms way.

I believe that having Volkswagens for many years has helped me with messing with the valve train as you get good at it when you own a VW unless your richer than I was in college. Knowing what zero tolerance is important.

If you are not sure about adjusting your lifters let somebody who has done it do yours for you. It is cheap insurance to pay for experiance.

Best regards to all you fellow Corvetters!

Chris McCloskey

ctmccloskey said: I adjust the lifter clearance the best I can with the engine off (not running) and then using my "open in the very center covers" bolted down with gaskets in place I still loosen the lifters to hear them just start to tap and then close them up barely just enough for the ticking to stop.

my method is very similar but I back off until it rattles then tighten one half turn

UPDATE.

All back together and runs great! I adjusted the rockers individually first by TDC'ing each cylinder, getting zero lash, and then 1/2 turn. ( Kens method) As a second check I did it again with the engine running, an open valve cover, and oil retainer clips. 1/2 turn past clatter. Everything was right on. Thanks again for all the response and suggestions. I'm mobile again and it feels good!

Bret

|UPDATED|12/8/2004 11:55:24 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Hinz-73 said: UPDATE. All back together and runs great! I adjusted the rockers individually first by TDC'ing each cylinder, getting zero lash, and then 1/2 turn. ( Kens method) As a second check I did it again with the engine running, an open valve cover, and oil retainer clips. 1/2 turn past clatter. Everything was right on. Thanks again for all the response and suggestions. I'm mobile again and it feels good!

you used the best method.. you did both.. good luck

|UPDATED|12/9/2004 7:45:07 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Congratulations,

It is always a good day when you can drive your favorite Corvette. By adjusting the valves the way you did you were assured that you did it right. Static adjustment is the best baseline for starting the process and is the recommended way in our good old Chevy service manual.

I wish you a wonderful holiday season (Merry Christmas) and may the new year be filled with new and exciting moments in your C-3!

It's been fun corresponding with you and we all learned a bit doing it. I love the C3 Vette Registry!

Best Regards,

Christopher T McCloskey

I don't do both anymore, but the first several times you do it my way it's a very good idea to double check yourself to be sure it was right. That really tells you if you have the feel for it or not.

Glad to hear all is well. Good Job.

|UPDATED|12/9/2004 12:02:15 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|