rocker adjustment
 

putting new valve covers on and I want to adjust the valvetrain. stock pedestal mount setup with frpp 1.6's. took them off and inspected all associated parts and all is well. now, to retighten them. can i simply tighten them all down equally without turning the motor over. i figure that the rocker trunnion seats on the pedestal no matter what you do so if you make them all equally tight it should be good. lifter preload cannot be adjusted and therefore it is simply a tightening of the pivot point. please lend your knowledge.

Re: rocker adjustment
 

To properly install the roller rockers, rotate the engine until the lifter is on the heel of the cam. While you're tightening the rocker, rotate the pushrod with your fingers. When you can't rotate it any further, the rocker is at zero lash. Then tighten the adjusting nut one-quarter to three-quarters turn. If you must turn the adjusting nut more than that, you must use shims to properly adjust the rockers.

Re: rocker adjustment
 

im aware of that method. (top dead center method) and also eoic, when exhaust opens adjust the intake and when the intake is closing adjust the exhaust. Used when radical cams are used to ensure heel of cam lobe. Thats all well and good. but with stock pedestal mount valvetrain it seems as though as much as you tighten the rocker it cannot preload the lifter any further since it is sitting on its pedestal. How could it move down further. Or on the other hand, tightening till the pushrod stops moving could leave the rocker raised, not on the pedestal......Would this be ok. I dont think it would be. Your advice works perfectly on stud mount rockers.

Re: rocker adjustment
 

lol, yeah on stock just tighten them all down 20ft/lbs.

Re: rocker adjustment
 

sorry about the misread, my ADD must be acting up again...time for a beer :D

Re: rocker adjustment
 

I still had to use shims when upgrading to 1.72 pedestal mount rockers, back when I had my stock motor & heads. I don't remember the exact tightening method I used (sorry, it's been many years)...but I know that shims were involved.