So.... I made a rookie mistake.

Before installing my new heads, I turned the motor over a couple of times before lining up my timing marks.

So: here I am about to check for pushrod length, and I have no reference as to what piston is on the firing cycle...

Is there a way to check for pushrod length without taking the spark plugs or timing cover out?

 

Take #1 plug out. Both valves will be closed for just about one entire rotation of the crank...tdc on #1 will be in the middle of said rotation but you need to be exact. Hence the plug pulling.

 

I'm at work now; is it even possible to turn over with all the valves closed?

 

Pull all plugs. Put a pushrod into the intake side of #1. Rotate motor until the pushrod moves up. Then, you will need to keep a little finger pressure on the pushrod, rotate the motor until the pushrod goes down and stops. Once the pushrod bottoms, you are about 1/3 turn from TDC firing on cylinder #1. Rotate the motor slowly and feel for the piston to come to the top with a straw or look in with a good flashlight.

No need to pull the timing cover. Not really a "rookie mistake", it is a learning experience.

 

I was afraid I'd have to remove all of the plugs....

 

You don't have to remove all of them. It's not a perfect seal. It will turn without a ton of effort, just slowly.

 

I'll try it tomorrow. I don't feel like bringing out my inner contortionist again and removing the plugs...

But if not pulling them puts me at risk of busting a ring or something.... I'd certainly pull them out


Another question: I have a pushrod length tool, but I'd like to use a double check point using the "countingturns to torque trick": if I torque the rocker down, my lifter will collapse, correct? Will it reset on its own without oil pressure? Or do I need to double check on another cylinder?

 

Use the EOIC method for measuring push rod length.

 

That's what I'm trying to do, in addition to the pushrod checker (because I'm **** like that and need a double check...).

But, after compressing the pushrod down into the lifter, I won't be able to check that lifter again, correct? It'll be collapsed?

Or do they just spring right back up? (I'm not 100% on how hydraulic lifters operate).

 

Your engines sees compression thousands of times a minute at very high temperatures. I don't see how not pulling the plug could damage a ring are anything in the chamber when being turned by hand. Even if you have a cam that was WAY too big and needed valve reliefs in the pistons, by hand you would still not damage anything unless you pulled REALLY hard and risked bending a valve.

All hydraulic lifters are collapsed without oil pressure(assuming a preload). The valve spring is much stronger than the spring in the lifter. They will "pump" up to normal once oil pressure is achieved. Using a PR length checker you count the turns past zero lash or more accurately you use a dial indicator just above where the PR meets the rocker. As you tighten past zero lash the PR will collapse the lifter. If while doing this the valve end moves the rod is WAY too long and you have bottomed out the lifter.

 

So essentially, if I were to use the EOIC method, you only get one attempt at getting it right?

 

There is a spring in the lifter that will return it to full travel after its been compressed. You should be able to take more then 1 measurement.

When you find zero lash(all slack will be out of the rocker), you should be able to lift up on the nose of the rocker and feel the lifter compress and return when you let go.

 

Okay... That's how I assumed they worked, but then you read about lifters collapsing... Or people pumping them up before install... Or oil pressure pumping them up.

I wasn't sure if they would reset on their own. But it sounds like they do.

 

hydraulics do not work with out oil pressure...you need the pressure to pump the lifter up.

 

So the lifter should return to the resting state on its own? Or it needs oil pressure?

Sorry, I'm a bit confused!

 

You are fine...measure and install.


Sorry about that last post, I can see it being confusing. I was just saying you want to measure the length without the lifter pumped up with oil. The lifter return spring has enough pressure to return after it is compressed from rotating the motor. Like I said you can feel the lifter compress and return by lifting up on the nose of the rocker and releasing it after finding zero lash....at least I could with my Morels.

 

Sounds good. Once again: thanks for your help!

I'm the kind of guy who checks once... Then double checks, so I just wanted to be sure that the lifter would indeed reset (so I'm not getting multiple readings)

 

Yep it does...I checked mine 3-4 times and came up with the same reading each time.

 

With the rocker loose or removed the lifter will come back up on it's own. The oil pressure and the lifter being pumped up is only while the engine is running.

Only a lifter that is stuck or has a broken spring will stay collapsed when the rocker is removed.

 

Excellent. Thanks guys!