hey i just got my heads machined and ive put on my rocker arms and rods back in ..its hydrolic so my question is shouldnt i be able to just snug down those bolts and the hydrolics willset themselves? or is there a certain way i have to torque those down?

 

What I do is make sure the valves are closed in a cylinder and thighten the rockers and rolling the pushrod at the same time . I do this until it takes some effort to turn the push rod and the stop . Should be close enough to run .

 

There is a procedure to follow when adjusting rockers, A gm dealership can print it out for you if you ask or if you look online you should be able to find the proper way to do it. Usually you tighten them to where you can just barely rotate the pushrod then give it a 1/2 to3/4 turn to set lash. You can also modify a set of old valve covers and set them with the engine running,this is messy though.

 

i have the procedure at work i can bring it home tonight, i just set the valves on my 85

 

1. start engine and allow to reach normal operating temperature, then shut off.

2. with engine in position to fire No. 1 cylinder, adjust the following valves V6 229,262 exhaust nos. 1,5 and 6 intake nos. 1,2 and 4. V8 engines, exhaust 1,3,4 and 8 intake nos. 1,2,5 and 7. to properly adjust valves, tighten adjusting nut until all lash is eliminated, then tighten nut the specified additional number of turns V8-454/7.4 engine, tighten nut 3/4 additional turn from zero lash. on all others, tighten nut one full turn from zero lash.The lead tech at my work said to only do 1/2 turn after zero lash, works for me

3. turn crankshaft one complete revolution, witch will bring engine in position to fire cylinders 4(V6) or 6(inline6 and V8) with engine in this position, adjust the following valves: V6 229,262, exhaust Nos. 2,3 and 4 intake Nos. 4,5 and 6.
6-250 and 292, exhaust Nos. 2,4 and 6 intake Nos. 3,5 and 6. V8 engines exhaust Nos. 2,5,6 and 7 intake Nos. 3,4,6 and 8. when zero lash is obtained, tighten adjusting nuts as specified in step 2