How to get proper preload, 5.3L heads, TR224
Thread Starter
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,036
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From: Lake Zurich, IL
How to get proper preload, 5.3L heads, TR224 I'm instaling my heads and cam end of the month. I've got some unmilled 5.3L heads and a TR224 cam.
Doing the calculations, I ideally would need a 7.430" push rod I think... since the base circle is .030" smaller for the TR224 cam.
Can I stick with 7.400" push-rods? Will the lifters compensate for the extra or should I look into getting some 7.450 push rods? If I use the 7.400 do I just need to tighten the rocker down a bit more? (22 ft/lbs + 1.5 turns? or something like that) ?
Thanks
Mike
Doing the calculations, I ideally would need a 7.430" push rod I think... since the base circle is .030" smaller for the TR224 cam.
Can I stick with 7.400" push-rods? Will the lifters compensate for the extra or should I look into getting some 7.450 push rods? If I use the 7.400 do I just need to tighten the rocker down a bit more? (22 ft/lbs + 1.5 turns? or something like that) ?
Thanks
Mike
10 Second Club
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 3
From: Berkeley, California
Re: How to get proper preload, 5.3L heads, TR224 Just a reminder. Overtightening the rocker arm bolts will not alter lifter preload. Rocker arm bolts are to be torqued to 22 ft lbs - no more. If you go a full turn past 22 ft lbs you will probably strip the threads.
<small>[ February 06, 2003, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: Gary Z ]</small>
<small>[ February 06, 2003, 04:28 PM: Message edited by: Gary Z ]</small>
Re: How to get proper preload, 5.3L heads, TR224 The pre-load is not set as the # of turns AFTER 22 lb-ft. What you do is you take one hand and spin the pushrod with your fingers as you tighten the rocker bolt down. When you are UNABLE to rotate the pushrod anymore with your hands NOW is when you make a mark on the bolt and count how many turns it takes to HIT 22 lb-ft of torque. As stated prior, it's not the # of turns AFTER 22 lb-ft, this could cause you to strip the threads.
