Heat Treat Pete

When installing new heads how do you adjust the rocker arms. Is it like the old samall blocks? I hope this wasn't to stupid of a question.

camaroguy26

iTrader: (21)

Hydraulic lifters do all the adjustments by filling with oil when the valve is closed. So no there is no need to adjust the rocker arms unless you have solid tappets. The LS1 rocker arms are simply torqued down.

and no question is stupid, I've been there too

Phoenix 5.7

iTrader: (7)

if the heads are milled or something, u adjust by the pushrod length, as in buy proper length rods

GMC_DUDE

Just to eliminate some confusion, old style SBC Chevy engines did require an initial adjustment of their hydraulic lifters. I know because I learned the hard way going from a 1963 Pontiac (which did not require adjustment) to a 1963 Chevy (which did) both with hydraulic lifters. But, true, the LS1 and its derivatives do not require any adjustment. Just torque the rocker stud to the specified level (can't remember the value offhand, if you need it let me know and I'll look it up).

BlackScreaminMachine

iTrader: (17)

yea, up to LT1's you had to actually do an adjustment but with LS1's its all torque down.

Heat Treat Pete

Thanks for the info. I have been adjusting lifters for years and the only reason I asked the question was I saw it on another thread. Someone was talking about torqueing down the rocker arms to 40lbs. I thought to myself thats great because the old way was a pain in the ***. I know that some early Mopars are just torqued down. Thanks again.

matt94z

iTrader: (49)

I think you only torque them to 22 ft lbs...

hazard2k

iTrader: (10)

22 is correct

TheLS1Kid

iTrader: (12)

Yep 22 ft lbs

After you have them torqued down, rotate the crank a few times and re-check the torque.

Heat Treat Pete

I see everyone uses 22 lbs. Thanks

brianfromhawaii

iTrader: (3)

Arent hydros wonderful? (you know, unless you wanna rev high :o )

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

22 fts lbs and you might as well rotate the crank and do them all with the valves closed. Then your done. No need to re-torque. The howto.com right up takes the lazy way out on this. Doing them individualy is the best way to accurately torque them. You can take the tme to make sure your lined up right. Even there though there isnt adjustment there is play and you can twist the rocker in place so some time should be taken here to slow down and do it meticulously. Rotate the crank wait til both are closed and then torque to 22