maddmann313 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 I just replaced my head gaskets, and when I removed my heads I loosened the rocker arms to take the push rods out. Now I'm trying to replace these rocker arms, and I need to know what the torque specs are... It's a SBC 350 with stock cam rocker arms and lifters! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 There is not a torque spec for the rockers, you need to adjust them. Instead of typing it all, see here http://www.classiccarauto.com/impala/how_to/adjust_valves.shtml Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike 57 Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 Rocker arms do not get torqued. The rockers are adjusted to preload the lifters. The simple explanation is bring the each cylinder up to TDC on the firing order and tighten the rocker to take up the slack and the a half turn. Some guys like to adjust them while the engine is running but that can sometimes get messy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geartech Posted January 9, 2012 Share Posted January 9, 2012 I do it a little differently...I scanned the service manual to show the procedure you can use to adjust the rocker arms. Basically you can adjust half of them on #1 TDC and the other half on #6 TDC. I used to just have the valve numbers on a piece of paper in my toolbox back when I was a mechanic. Hopefully the scan is readable enough...hope it helps. You can also do it cylinder by cylinder if you want. Basically the theory is to have the camshaft in a position where the valves are closed (TDC works, or the chart), then take the play out of the pushrod and tighten it 3/4 to 1 turn more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmann313 Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 Well I got all the rocker arms done, but now with timing! The further back I twist the distributor the better ther motor runs! But now the vacuum advance on the distributor is on the fire wall an I cant turn it anymore! Also it's running very rich. I brought the #1 cylinder to TDC befor I pulled it, but I jacked the car up so it moved a little would this cause it to be off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Sounds like it may be a tooth off possably. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmann313 Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 The distributor is 1 tooth off?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leghome Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 I had that problem when I pulled my HEI. Took me 3 tries to get it where it needed to be. At least I could stand in front with the shroud out to make the reinstall easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmann313 Posted January 11, 2012 Author Share Posted January 11, 2012 Wel when I pulled it the rotor button was facing the #1 cylinde and now it's pointing at the back of the carb! Could I just pick it up and turn it back to the left? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallaby Posted January 11, 2012 Share Posted January 11, 2012 Wel when I pulled it the rotor button was facing the #1 cylinde and now it's pointing at the back of the carb! Could I just pick it up and turn it back to the left? Yep. The problem is that the distributor engages the oil pump with something like a screwdriver blade at the bottom...and the distributor has that curved gear so when you start to lift the distributor out, it rotates the oil pump as you lift the dist out. The trick is to be able to set it back in where you want it and get the oil pump to engage and distributor all the way down.. You may have to rotate the oil pump a bit with a long screwdriver, or some prefer to rotate the engine while lightly pushing down on the dist to get it to drop into place. If you only need to move it one tooth, it probably won't be that complicated. It might just be as simple as it sounds, and you won't have to deal with the oil pump shaft alignment at all. It's just good to know what's happening in there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmann313 Posted January 12, 2012 Author Share Posted January 12, 2012 Well I moved it around to where it points to the number 1 cylinder on TDC! Well no it's starting, but it's back firing very badly and it sounds like its missing, and will not stay running on its own Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geartech Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 sounds like its still off. Here is the service manual page for installing the distributor when the engine has been disturbed. Hopefully following this will help...If its too small to read let me know and I'll try something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmann313 Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Yea it's too small Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geartech Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 try this link, there are zoom and full screen options in Picasa... https://picasaweb.google.com/117653687786097080973/December252011#5696827460509496418 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmann313 Posted January 13, 2012 Author Share Posted January 13, 2012 Thanks, that time it was fine. I haven't tried this yet but now i turned the distributor around until it was 180 out and then it started backfiring through the exhaust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geartech Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Sounds like the distributor is still not in the right spot, does that page make sense or I can try to explain here. Also maybe double check the firing order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmann313 Posted January 16, 2012 Author Share Posted January 16, 2012 well I got it in the right spot, but i just found out that the carb is leaking fuel everywhere. Im taking it to a friend of mine to get it rebuilt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmann313 Posted January 17, 2012 Author Share Posted January 17, 2012 Carb was rebuilt and the car now runs but the idle is very high and the motor is making a loud clicking noise! Is it the rocker arms loose or are the valves and pistons hitting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cny first gen 71 Posted January 17, 2012 Share Posted January 17, 2012 You may have one or two to rockers loose recheck the adjustment. i doubt its the valves hitting the pistons because it wouldnt run very long like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacob Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 I hope you can get it fixed soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.