Rocker arm installation

RoadWarrior · 05-08-2002, 09:18 PM

I recently got a new mustang and pulled the engine and got a few minor things done on it. My question is this. When i was re-installing the rocker arms as i tightened them all down they always compressed the valve springs. Im not worried about that but they also compressed the springs for the #1 cylinder and it was at TDC. Is this normal? I had the heads resurfaced so do i need to shim the rockers? It may be nothing but its driving me crazy and id like to know for sure before its all back in the car. I went through my book but it doesnt help much so any help is appreciated. And if it makes any difference they dont compress much.

RoadWarrior · 05-08-2002, 09:18 PM

Oh yeah its a 88 GT

Old Guy with 87 GT · 05-08-2002, 11:04 PM

it might be at tdc on the exaust stroke ........turn it 180* and see if it still opens the valve.........i'm not sure but i think on the exaust stroke the ex valve is almost closed just as the in valve starts to open......hope that helps

RoadWarrior · 05-09-2002, 08:21 PM

Unfortunately no. I had the timing cover off and it was at TDC. And it pushed both valves open a little bit, not just one. Could this just be that the lifters need to be run again or something. Please help ASAP as the engine is hopefully going to be in this weekend.

Old Guy with 87 GT · 05-10-2002, 12:36 PM

??? ok i'm confused now ......i was thinking it might have been at tdc on the 2nd stroke instead of on the firing stroke .......on a 4 stroke engine the crank goes around twice before it fires....'tdc' on int/ex stroke then 'tdc' on compression/firing stroke ......if it's at 'tdc' on ex stroke both valves would be open a tiny bit (one opening ,one closing=intake/exaust).....if it's at 'tdc' on firing stroke and both valves are open then there's somthing eles wrong

the only other thing i can think of is the rockers might have to be shimed .......i would think that the lifters would bleed down if you have spring tension on them if they were pumped up to high...unless there new lifters or something ,they sould bleed off

LX XLR8R · 05-10-2002, 06:10 PM

you will nkow as soon as you start it..it will miss like crazy and you smell gas as your plugs will be soaked in it..if that happens then you have to shim you rockers or sell em and buy some adjustable..Omega makes a pedistal adj roller rocker now..something to thinkg about
do you just have the heads resurfaced or did they shave em down a lil..that would def require one of the things i said above

05-08-2002, 09:18 PM	#2
RoadWarrior Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Edmonton,Alberta,Canada Posts: 317	Oh yeah its a 88 GT __________________ Fast Company

05-08-2002, 11:04 PM	#3
Old Guy with 87 GT Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Posts: 379	it might be at tdc on the exaust stroke ........turn it 180* and see if it still opens the valve.........i'm not sure but i think on the exaust stroke the ex valve is almost closed just as the in valve starts to open......hope that helps __________________ the "not so old",old guy 87 Mustang GT T-top >hanlon t-5, pro 5.0, centerforce clutch ,adj. cable/quatrant ,3.27s ,full 2 1/2 ex(off road H) adj. reg. ,e-cam ,70mm TB, cobra intake ,1.7rr ,ported/milled e7ets w/crane springs ,306 balaced/decked short block w/speed pro forged flat top pistons ...257rwhp/302rwt best et 13.7@102 (4/11 ) '80 Capri (future project,currently collecting parts for 351 moter)

05-09-2002, 08:21 PM	#4
RoadWarrior Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Edmonton,Alberta,Canada Posts: 317	Unfortunately no. I had the timing cover off and it was at TDC. And it pushed both valves open a little bit, not just one. Could this just be that the lifters need to be run again or something. Please help ASAP as the engine is hopefully going to be in this weekend. __________________ Fast Company

05-10-2002, 12:36 PM	#5
Old Guy with 87 GT Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Posts: 379	??? ok i'm confused now ......i was thinking it might have been at tdc on the 2nd stroke instead of on the firing stroke .......on a 4 stroke engine the crank goes around twice before it fires....'tdc' on int/ex stroke then 'tdc' on compression/firing stroke ......if it's at 'tdc' on ex stroke both valves would be open a tiny bit (one opening ,one closing=intake/exaust).....if it's at 'tdc' on firing stroke and both valves are open then there's somthing eles wrong the only other thing i can think of is the rockers might have to be shimed .......i would think that the lifters would bleed down if you have spring tension on them if they were pumped up to high...unless there new lifters or something ,they sould bleed off __________________ the "not so old",old guy 87 Mustang GT T-top >hanlon t-5, pro 5.0, centerforce clutch ,adj. cable/quatrant ,3.27s ,full 2 1/2 ex(off road H) adj. reg. ,e-cam ,70mm TB, cobra intake ,1.7rr ,ported/milled e7ets w/crane springs ,306 balaced/decked short block w/speed pro forged flat top pistons ...257rwhp/302rwt best et 13.7@102 (4/11 ) '80 Capri (future project,currently collecting parts for 351 moter)

05-10-2002, 06:10 PM	#6
LX XLR8R Dirk Diggler Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: SLOATSBURG, NY Posts: 1,931	you will nkow as soon as you start it..it will miss like crazy and you smell gas as your plugs will be soaked in it..if that happens then you have to shim you rockers or sell em and buy some adjustable..Omega makes a pedistal adj roller rocker now..something to thinkg about do you just have the heads resurfaced or did they shave em down a lil..that would def require one of the things i said above __________________ 95 undecided cubes, AFR 185s,undecided cam, undecided intake, and a 150 hit 89 "turbonotch" 2.3T You might want to hold on..i saw this on a cartoon once

05-08-2002, 09:18 PM	#1
RoadWarrior Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Edmonton,Alberta,Canada Posts: 317	Rocker arm installation I recently got a new mustang and pulled the engine and got a few minor things done on it. My question is this. When i was re-installing the rocker arms as i tightened them all down they always compressed the valve springs. Im not worried about that but they also compressed the springs for the #1 cylinder and it was at TDC. Is this normal? I had the heads resurfaced so do i need to shim the rockers? It may be nothing but its driving me crazy and id like to know for sure before its all back in the car. I went through my book but it doesnt help much so any help is appreciated. And if it makes any difference they dont compress much. __________________ Fast Company

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