Dumb question but when removing the rocker arms in preparation for a cam swap, does the engine need to be in any specific position (TDC on a particular cylinder, etc) prior to loosening the rocker arm retaining nuts? Or can you just go down the line and loosen/remove them all?

TIA.

Tipsy

 

You can just remove them. Although when performing a cam swap, you usually make sure #1 is TDC

 

Yes find TDC # 1 and mark your balancer so you know..

Then when you are ready to torque the rockers back down you can use the correct method below..

 

I've been through and built many LS motors and never followed those directions. I even worked at the dealer and we didn't use those directions. They are non adjustable rockers so I don't see the need to do that but I can see that service manual says to do so. Oh well, to each their own.

 

It just makes it easier to get the bolt 'home' with the valves closed when you torque them down. You aren't fighting the valve spring trying to open the valve at the same time you are torquing the bolt. Keeps from getting the rocker cocked and busting something. lol.

 

Exactly, they are non adjustable and must be torqued down on the cam base with valves closed to achieve they're fixed ratio!

You can't accurately torque the bolt against the spring pressure!

 

Thanks for the replies. My concern was that if each valve is not closed when loosening that respective rocker arm, the bolt could possibly strip or damage the thread because of the spring pressure.

Tipsy

 

I've never torqued a stock rocker and have yet one come loose on me yet. Whether it was on a base circle or not. Just did an Ls3 motor and shifting at 6800. To each their own though.