Proper way to check lifter preload
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From: old tappan n.j.
Proper way to check lifter preload Tools needed:
Push rod length checker / or assorted length push rods
Clamp on or bolt on dial indicator
After you have check your valve geometry and rocker wipe. With the proper shim under your rocker stands you are now ready to check lifter pre load. Move to the next cylinder with a normal set of valve springs not checker spring. Set the cylinder that your working on and the valve your working on with no lift present on the cam. This can be verified with your dial indicator on a push rod wile applying pressure on the lifter and rotating motor you are looking for the lifter to be in the lowest position. Once you have the valve that your going to check ready. Set the push rod length checker to the lift you think is need for your application. Insert the length checker and install the rocker arm. Set the rocker arm to zero lash this is the point where the push rod will not spin freely or have drag on it with your finger as you tighten the rocker. Now install the dial indicator make sure it firmly attached at its base to the motor. Install the pointer on the rocker "push rod side " in the oil hole on the rocker. Apply .100 pre load on gauge of dial indicator. Make sure the angle of the dial indicator plunger is the same as the push rod. Now lock the tool down tight and zero out the dial indicator gauge. Now with your torque wrench tighten down the rocker arm to proper torque. The dial will start to spin fast as you torque it down and slow down as the oil is bled out of the lifter once the gauge stops record the value. Now loose the rocker bolt and observer the dial it should return back to where you started. If not the same re-zero out at top position and bolt back down both measurements should be the same this is so you cant mess it up. Now from this measurement you can tell if you need to add or remove push rod length. Once you have the push rod your going to use install it and double check it. Now move on to the next valve and perform the same steps above to set it up and check it. Now that you have performed the intake and exhaust you now know the length push rods your going to use. Move on to check piston to valve.
If this helps I was glad to help
George
Please try not to make this a debate this is just for information take the debate to a new post or in p.m.'s.
Push rod length checker / or assorted length push rods
Clamp on or bolt on dial indicator
After you have check your valve geometry and rocker wipe. With the proper shim under your rocker stands you are now ready to check lifter pre load. Move to the next cylinder with a normal set of valve springs not checker spring. Set the cylinder that your working on and the valve your working on with no lift present on the cam. This can be verified with your dial indicator on a push rod wile applying pressure on the lifter and rotating motor you are looking for the lifter to be in the lowest position. Once you have the valve that your going to check ready. Set the push rod length checker to the lift you think is need for your application. Insert the length checker and install the rocker arm. Set the rocker arm to zero lash this is the point where the push rod will not spin freely or have drag on it with your finger as you tighten the rocker. Now install the dial indicator make sure it firmly attached at its base to the motor. Install the pointer on the rocker "push rod side " in the oil hole on the rocker. Apply .100 pre load on gauge of dial indicator. Make sure the angle of the dial indicator plunger is the same as the push rod. Now lock the tool down tight and zero out the dial indicator gauge. Now with your torque wrench tighten down the rocker arm to proper torque. The dial will start to spin fast as you torque it down and slow down as the oil is bled out of the lifter once the gauge stops record the value. Now loose the rocker bolt and observer the dial it should return back to where you started. If not the same re-zero out at top position and bolt back down both measurements should be the same this is so you cant mess it up. Now from this measurement you can tell if you need to add or remove push rod length. Once you have the push rod your going to use install it and double check it. Now move on to the next valve and perform the same steps above to set it up and check it. Now that you have performed the intake and exhaust you now know the length push rods your going to use. Move on to check piston to valve.
If this helps I was glad to help
George
Please try not to make this a debate this is just for information take the debate to a new post or in p.m.'s.
Last edited by 07BlueDevilZ06; Jan 20, 2008 at 07:35 PM. Reason: added part on bottom
