Commonly, adjusting hydraulic valves on Small Block Chevy (SBC) is a rite of passage for many do-it-yourselfers or street rods. Properly done, this can lead to better engine performance, more horsepower and longer life expectancy of the engine. However, if you get it wrong, then you are likely to end up with poor performance and even damage the engine itself. Thus let us roll up our sleeves and go straight into the matter.
As briefly mentioned earlier this chapter highlighted that there are certain tools needed in order to work correctly .
Tools You Will Need:
- Spanner set
- Blade Feelers
- Stabbing device
- Torque adjuster
- Rags or workshop towels
- Protective gloves and eye wear
Prerequisite:
- Safety First: Before beginning any work make sure that you have protective clothing on and disconnect the battery terminal for God’s sake.
- Warm It Up: Start your motor then let it operate until it reaches its normal working temperature. This indicates that all metal parts have expanded to their sizes of operation.
- Turn It Off: Switch off the motor so as to allow it cool down such that you can work without getting burnt.
Procedure:
- Valve Cover Removal: Open your car bonnet so as to reach its engine valve covers. Utilize a spanner to pull out screws keeping valve covers intact. Remove them gently and keep them aside.
- Find TDC (Top Dead Center): For setting the clearance of rocker arm one has to know top dead center position of piston which he is going to adjust. One way is inserting long screwdriver into spark plug hole and manually turning over engine using socket wrench at crankshaft bolt; when screwdriver reaches maximum height, TDC has been found.
- Loosen Rocker Arm Nut: Identify rocker arm corresponding to valve being adjusted; slightly undo rocker arm nut using spanner; don’t remove it fully just break torque on it.
- Zero Lash: Gradually tighten rocker arm nut while spinning pushrod between your thumb and index finger; once resistance is felt in the push rod also known as zero lash stop turning.
- Final Torquing: Cross-reference your engine’s torque settings for rocker arm nuts. With a torque wrench, set the nut to the named torque value.
- Check Your Work: After you have finished adjusting it, check the clearance using a feeler gauge between the valve stem and the rocker arm of each cylinder. This should be consistent with what is contained in the manual for Small Block Chevy used.
- Repeat: For every subsequent valve, one has to rotate engine so that each piston comes back to TDC before correcting.
- Button It Up: Replace all valve covers having provided new seals. Tighten screw bolts as p er manufacturer’s instructions on tightening torques of different automobile parts.
- Fire It Up: Reconnect battery then start vehicle’s motor to hear it run smoother and quieter if everything is done right.
- Test Drive: Finally, drive your vehicle around for a quick test run to see that it feels good or not
Congratulations – you have just successfully adjusted hydraulic valves on a Small Block Chevy. Not only have you fine-tuned your engine but you’ve gained some serious DIY street cred along the way as well. Lastly, remember to consult your repair manual for most accurate information specific to this model.
