I followed this guys instructions almost to a T.Only thing I did differently was I went around more like 12, 90 degree turns instead of 8,made damn sure I was on TDC compression when I was finished.When I finally got my motor all put back together it started right up and is purring like a cat,no tapping,no noise.This was one of the most helpful videos I have ever watched.This guy is the best,I wish I could shake his hand and thank him in person!
MY NAME IS JOHNNY MORGAN FROM JAX.,FL. I'M A RETIRED ENGINE ASSEMBLER OF 27YRS. I STARTED IN 1986 I WAS 16YO. OLD SCHOOL ENGINES AND DRAG RACING. I WAS LOOKING UP A CRANE SOLID CAM FOR A BB 454 CHEVY I'M BUILDING AND FOUND KEN'S VIDEO, AFTER WATCHING, ALL I CAN SAY IS KEN IS 1 KNOWLEDGEABLE AWESOME GUY, I DON'T COMMENT OR SUBSCRIBE MUCH BUT KEN GAVE SOME OF HIS KNOWLEDGE TO SHOW AND HELP THOSE THAT WEREN'T QUITE SURE THE BEST WAY IN DETAIL HOW TO ADJUST HYD. VALVES .AS FOR ME A MEMORY OF AN OLD TIMER MR. DANIEL THAT SHOWED ME KEN'S WAY WHEN I WAS 16, SO THANKS KEN FOR THE MEMORY'S AND BEING HELPFUL. I DID SUBSCRIBE. IT'S NICE TO SEE AN OLD SCHOOL VIDEO.
This looks really easy. It was done with dry lifter. What do I do if it’s a motor that has no been running and lifters are already hard and pumped up? Will this process work on a running motor
@@stevenlindquist7430That's the trouble with TH-cam comments and questions; sometimes the guy has moved on to other videos and time doesn't allow them to respond to late questions. That is a good question? Sorry I don't have the answer. I want to ask him which way the oil hole points on a roller lifter, inward towards the center of the valley or outward towards the head? I would guess towards the center of the valley. That way the oil would flow back around the base of the lifter keeping the lifter and it's shaft well oiled?
To the younger generation do yourself a favor and listen and learn what this video is offering. Sometimes the best lessons are not written in a book. This is “Old School” and the man is an absolute teacher and communicator for his trade. Thank you. I learned something and it is extremely appreciated!
This guy is AWESOME. Called him up to ask a question. He took my question and was very personable. Even though he did not have to, he took a few moments to have a conversation. Great Guy!
I’m almost 70. Been around engines since I was a child. This is the absolute best video I’ve ever seen on how to adjust valves. You are professional and easy to understand. Keep up the good work. Thank you
Ken was nice enough to call me back about the issue of doing this on an engine that has been run and the lifters have oil in them. He said you absolutely can use this method. The only thing that may happen is some of the valves may be open slightly and the engine could run rough for a min or so but will smooth out. He said not to worry and use this method. That's what I'm going to do on Friday and will let everyone know what happens. Everything worked out. Car started right up. Thanks Ken!
Were you able to tighten each rocker another 3/4 turn at the end (to set the ~ .035 lash) of as Ken suggested? A few of my lifters seemed to "bottom out" before I got to a full 3/4 of a turn.
Another question, do I have to lossen the rocker arms all the way and then start this procedure? Or start the procedure without loosening the rocker arms?
I've been in the automotive repair industry for 32 years... This is the best video I've seen on how to adjust the valve lash... Big props to you and your technique!!!
My dad done that to my first car when I was 16yrs old...it was an 84 camaro with a 1977 350sb...fired up second time the engine turned over.. He passed on since and this vid reminded me of him, I thought my dad was the only person who adjusted them that way....good video...
This is my 1st time install new Cam and and more. I did exactly what you said and it started the 1st time . Sounded great tuned my carb now has nice idle with new cam. Fires off every time. Your method proved 👌 👏. Thank you.
Thank you, sir I’ve watched five or six different videos. Nobody explained why you shouldn’t prime the lifters before you adjust the valves. You explained why ,the spring at the bottom of the piston in the lifter (thank you.) You made it easy to comprehend .👍🏽👍🏽
Ken, I'm 72 and this was the best engine build block of instruction I have ever seen. Thank you so much and thanks also for this new UTUBE stuff that makes this possible. May GOD bless you all...
Excellent advice. Clear, concise instruction. I once heard "If you can't explain something simply enough for someone else to understand, then you don't know the subject well enough." You know your stuff, Ken. Thanks for sharing!
I can not stress this enough. You deserve your own 350 Chevy service manual. And Chevy should pay for it. Not only was this free advice. True advice. And very detailed advice. But it is functional advice. Advice that not one single person has talked down on. Look at this. Almost 3000 positive comments. Ken. I hope where ever you are. Beer and babes flock to you like lambs to a shepherd. You’ve given a gift that not a single one of us deserve. I’d like to add. I’d sure love to understand top dead center a bit better and how to install a distributor the correct way through your words and eyes. This is my first motor rebuild. Beyond those two things, I would have never understood lash properly. I can not wait to start my 1984 c4 corvette after sitting for 11 years. 31,001 miles when I parked it. Thank you for getting all of us one step further in the motor industry.
This procedure worked magnificently on my newly built 350 SBC, with a Comp Cams XE268H hydraulic flat tappet cam and Blueprint H8002K aluminum heads with dual valve springs. Note: Lifters were DRY for the initial break in with the inner valve springs removed. Engine fired almost instantly after a minor distributor adjustment. Inner valve springs have been reinstalled and now ready for the final adjustment. Contacted Ken to see if the procedure has changed since the lifters are now primed after the break in. He indicated the procedure is still the same with a 3/4 turn after obtaining zero lash, but the engine might stumble briefly until the valves self adjust, but this is normal. My sincerest thanks to Ken for this fantastic video, as I'm quite certain it has helped many novice, as well as seasoned engine builders. 2 thumbs up!!
Thanks for posting what he said regarding existing lifters. That was my question and the reason I was reading comments. About to change valve stem seals and will give this a go!
So if the lifter have oil in them like for instance your putting new push rods and rockers on the motor but the lifters have been in there with oil in them you can still use this technique is that correct
@@Studebomber how'd this go? Have to do this same job and want to verify that this video is an okay guide for a vehicle that recently was running. 89 Vette l98 350
Followed this instruction as well and all I had to do is adjust the distributor and she's running!!! Im not a mechanic, just mechanically inclined. Replaced heads, lifters , rocker arms, valves, seals, push rods, plugs and wires. Its even running on the 351 firing order. Since it's an F 150 im going back to the 1372 6548 firing order sfter my headers arrive. THANK YOU it was my first rebuild ever and this worked!!!! Temporarily. I have non adjustable rockers. With only 3/4 turn after lash they all came loose after the first fire up or two and I simply went back and torqued the rocker bolts to 20 lbs/ ft .of torque. Tried it again and it ran better than at 3/4 turn. So far, so good. I'll keep you posted. Great video, thanks again!! St as ying on 351 firing order too😎
Ken, perfect example of GREATNESS. I am a ASE Master Tech, 40+ years in this field. I've been working on engine's, transmissions, differentials, vehicle's of all kind's now, and farm equipment back then, and it feels like forever now. My dad had me re-ringing/bearings small engines by 7-8, pulling out and putting syncro's and re-bearing 3/4 speed transmissions when I was about 12. Dad, he was ole school, adjusting valves his way. Well we mostly had V-8 cars and trucks, so I found my way around them pretty good. Your build in this video, 327ci double hump heads, YA, on my engine stand, going in a 65 K10 in my shop this week. Back about 1972, using a damn old jig saw, I cut the top of the valve covers open, cut my hand on the sharp edges, bend the lid up, to adjust the valves while it was running. Not such as big of a mess than doing it with no valve covers. He thought that was pretty clever. Fast forward, I was checking on here to HOPEFULLY find and easier way to everyone's headache, or refresh my memory. Cam, lifters, heads going on tomorrow night, then it goes in Tues night. Your video, SUPERBLY DONE, totally makes sense. Thank you for the easiest and most effective way I have ever seem.
I was thought to adjust the valves with the engine running definitely a mess doing it that way I'm getting ready to pull the heads off of my 302 to check some things out someone else built the engine before I got the car it's in I definitely will adjust the valves the way he just showed us
I can’t thank you enough for posting this procedure. I had to remove and replace the heads on my Chevrolet Express. While in there, it seemed prudent to re do the seals etc. To remove the valve covers you’ve got to loosen the accessory drive brackets and pull them forward from the block. I followed this procedure methodically, and was rewarded with a perfectly smooth running engine and quiet valve train the first time! No muss, no fuss, no backtracking or re doing the work. Thank you again!
This is a very simple easy method of adjusting hydronic lifter. Very excellent job and you makes it very easy for me. I have been having a hard time adjusting the valve lash on my pontiac using the other method where rotate the engine until you see the intake rise and close and exhaust start to move. That method wouldn't work for me. Thanks to you Sir for introducing your method.
Excellent video! I am 61 years old and this is by far the easiest way I have ever seen rockers adjusted. I've got to do the Vortec on my GMC Sierra this weekend. But I am not dreading this part anymore. In fact I am looking forward to it so I can show my grandson something new. Thank you and a thumbs up.
Hands down one of the most helpful guides I’ve found in my life. Valvetrain no longer scares me. When I was a kid, I had a mechanic adjust my valves for me on my 350 s10 on his way home one day after work. He made a snide comment that people who don’t know how to do this stuff shouldn’t have these things. 20+ years later, I still think of that day. Had he beed a good person, he would have offered to do it, but only if I would help him so he could show me how to do it. I was a kid, and eager to learn. Hindsight, I could have asked to be taught. I’ve done several motors now this way, and zero issues. Heck, I taught my dad how to do valve adjustments with this guide. Watch this whole video. No skipping. Thank you Ken.
I tried this procedure on a 302 Ford Bronco. Really impressed me how quiet the engine was at start up. Wish I had seen this video 30 years ago. Thanks Ken for thinking out of the box.
I have been building Chevrolet Engines since my teens and am now in my late 50's and the way this is explained is the absolute best I have ever seen or heard. I found out how to do this by trial and error years ago and as most of us old guys who have discovered this can say....it's much better to see and hear FIRST than to have to go thru all the mess and pain in the butt of doing it the other way. Thanks Ken....
You are awesome friend, I've never really understood any of this valve stuff until now. And with this information I've been able to build an engine myself without having to get help from other people from my valves tapping all over the place, not staying tight and the engine stalling and running rough. So thank you a lot. Keep doing what you're doing, you're a life saver! Best valve adjustment video on here.
PHENOMENAL video!!! My old man was a mechanic for 40 plus years… military. Man if I could go back in time and apply this technique to all the motors we rebuilt over the years. You, sir… are THE man!
Just wanted to chime in, Thank You, Sir. By far the best method, did this on a sbc350 and worked out fine for my setup. I added the 3/4 turn for my final. My engine was ran previously to this and some lifter were still oil soaked, didnt make a difference in final outcome, just have to say OUTSTANDING.
I hope you see this and answer my question. If lifters are already soaked in oil. Do I need to loosen all rocker arms and start the process from the beginning? As I am planning on changing lower intake manifold gasket soon. Thanks
Wow I Thank God for your video. This is my very first time every working on an engine and of course I chose my 03 chevy tahoe lt with a 5.3 engine To work on. With no real Mechanical knowledge othe than what I've learned from TH-cam. Trying figured out why my RPMs were run low. I came to the conclusion, that it must a compression problem. Made me think of replacing all that gaskets and seals. Which I came to find that i had three popped bolts on my exhaust manifold, as I was working on removing the head to replace the gasket. All the while wondering how in the world am I going to get this all back together without screwing it up. Then Boom, your video pops up. Your right those other methods are way to complicated and time consuming. Coming across you video allowed me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm honored to be learning timeless knowledge and wisdom from a wise gent like yourself. Definitely looking forward to more of your videos brother as I need all the help and knowledge i can get. Thank you. Peace and blessing.
This is a huge help for people like me who are learning to do this as a hobby with no one to teach them. Thank you i love building my hotrods and fixing my own vehicles but there is still a lot i need to learn.
Ive been doing it this exact same way since 1977! You are 100% CORRECT! Important to repeat though, like you said, cant soak the lifters in oil. Great advice! Great channel!
Painted Bear so if I soaked the lifters in oil prior to installing but have not pumped or run the engine can I still do this method or did I need to buy new lifters and start over?
i'm certanly no expert but i've put a handful of sbc engines together and i really enjoy rebuilding an engine but the least enjoyable part was always the valve adjustment boing tedious pain in the butt. in the coming months i'm putting together a 78 350 and i am looking forward to using your method. thank you. you are truly a professional and thank you for sharing this wisdom.
After watching this great video again 6 months later, I have come to the conclusion It is well worth the time pulling off the intake to do this. Thanks Ken, Makes much more sense this time around.
If you understand overlap none of it is an issue it can be done dry without running the engine with the overlap method it works on any engine 246 or 8 cylinder
@@Timmytownhouse Yeah, on the engine I am working on currently, you would be able to grab the very top of each pushrod without removing the intake - - but ... if the intake is not off, doesn't that imply that the lifters would be full of oil (having been in a running condition)?
you can just tell when someone knows what they're talking about and portrays that confidence. thanks a million! this is exactly what i needed to come across
Hey Ken, I’d like to start out by saying I’m 28, and I dig that 327 just as much as the hot 350 I built and the 383 in the pickup I just bought. I started wrenching the wrong way early in high school, and started doin it the right way a few years ago. I gotta say, out of all the valves I’ve lashed, I never would have thought of this method, it’s genius. So thank you very much for the lesson, I’m gonna go watch the rest!
Hey Ken, I'm 65 years old and I've been a mechanic all my life since the first time I changed the spark plug in my first lawnmower when I was 7 years old and my grandfather who was a master mechanic was starting to teach me about motors. When I re-built my first 327 is when he showed me this method. I have also been taught by him how to put together engines without any type of torque wrench. My first introduction to this was watching him put together an old John Deere tractor engine without and torque wrench. He re-built that old motor about 45 years ago and it is still running today and it still does not have any leaks on the engine.
Hey bud was hoping for some help... i have a 390 fe with non adjustable rocker arm shaft. Can i use this method? I also need to set the preload ( not sure if these 2 things are the same. I'm a bit confused please help . Trying get her back on her feet . Thx buddy
Great video man I've never seen valve adjustment done that way but it makes total sense! I'm gonna try that on my next build. You need to make more videos man don't let that 30+ years of experience disappear.
THANKS A MILLION! I have rebuilt numerous 350 SBCs and have always had hell adjusting those rocker arms. I have 2 engines on stands right now and can't wait to try this technique! It makes perfect sense!
Thank you for this video. I just used this procedure with unbelievable results. The motor ran absolutely perfect with no mess. in the past I always hated painting an engine and then making a mess adjusting the valves. thanks to you those days are gone.
@@jdcorben6541 do it cold in the morning and turn over the engine by hand if possible. if not pull the coil wire and pump it over slowly so as not to build oil pressure. i did it to my truck this weekend using this method and it runs better than ever.
It might be the best one you've seen so far, but he's still not doing it right. Here's the right way. I worked for GM for 30 years on designing heads. I'm not going to type all of it again but here it is copied and pasted from the post I wrote on his video. You'll know this is correct because it will make more since than his. I HATE TO BUST YOUR BALLS, BUT YOU'RE ONLY DOING IT HALF RIGHT WHICH MEANS YOU'RE WRONG. DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, GO GET A CHEVROLET SHOP MANUAL, THE ONE ONLY THE DEALERSHIPS GET, BACK IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THAT'S WHERE THE INFO I'M ABOUT TO TELL YOU COMES FROM. YEA, THE PEOPLE WHO INVENTED THE THING. YOU START WITH NUMBER 1 CYLINDER, ON THE COMPRESSION STROKE, PISTON AT TOP DEAD CENTER, OR ALL THE WAY UP AND MAKE SURE IT'S THE COMPRESSION STROKE. BOTH VALVES ARE CLOSED ON THE COMPRESSION STROKE AND ON THE LOWEST PART OF THE CAM. YOU SPIN THE PUSH ROD ON BOTH VALVES ON THAT CYLINDER ONLY AND GET THEM TO ZERO LASH LIKE YOU'RE DOING IN YOUR VIDEO AND THEN YOU STOP. YOU'VE GOT THAT PART RIGHT. NEXT, YOU SPIN THE MOTOR A QUARTER TURN, THIS PUTS THE NEXT PISTON THAT FIRES, AT TOP DEAD CENTER, WHICH ON MOST CHEVY MOTORS WOULD BE NUMBER 8, YOU SPIN THOSE PUSH RODS UNTIL YOU REACH ZERO LASH THEN STOP, TURN THE MOTOR ANOTHER QUARTER TURN AND ADJUST CYLINDER NUMBER 4, EACH TIME YOU TURN THE MOTOR A QUARTER TURN, IT BRINGS THE NEXT PISTON TO FIRE, UP TO THE TOP AND YOU GO RIGHT DOWN THE FIRING ORDER UNTIL YOU'VE DONE THEM ALL 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. HYDRAULIC LIFTERS HAVE A HUNDRED THOUSANDTHS TRAVEL IN THEM, SO THE NEXT THING YOU DO IS GO BACK AND TURN THE ADJUSTMENT NUT ON ALL 16 VALVES, ONE WHOLE TURN. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPIN THE MOTOR TO DO THIS, JUST DO ONE FULL TURN ON ALL OF THEM. THIS PUTS THE LIFTER HALF WAY INTO THE TRAVEL DISTANCE, 50 THOUSANDTHS AND THAT MY FRIEND IS THE MOST ACCURATE AND PRECISE WAY ITS DONE BY THE PEOPLE THAT INVENTED THE SMALL BLOCK AND BIG BLOCK ENGINES. ANYONE WHO READS THIS SHOULD KNOW IT MAKES MORE SINCE THAN THE SLOPPY WAY YOU'RE DOING IT. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE CORRECT WAY TO DO SOMETHING, GO TO THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT AND GET ONE OF THEIR BOOKS AND WHAT YOU'LL FIND OUT IS MOST PEOPLE REALLY THINK IN THEIR HEART THEY ARE RIGHT AND ARE SINCERE ABOUT IT, LIKE THIS GUY, AND HE REALLY MEANS WELL, BUT HE'S WRONG AND IF HE READS THIS, AND HE REALLY WANT'S TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY, HE'LL CORRECT HIS VIDEO.
I was taught this back in 1987 from my neighbor who had a Top Sportsman car. It's so simple, saves time, saves money, and you don't throw tools trying to adjust them right. GREAT VID!
What if you're, for whatever reason, taking the rockers out and putting an engine back together with the original lifters (wet) not being removed, such as replacing rockers or a head gasket , heads and so on? Is it still going to be the same process or is it different? With the lifters being oil filled, wont they bleed off/ self adjust from sitting after a period of time or when the engine is cranked over?
Thanks, Now That's A handy Bit Of Know How. I've made a lot of messes adjusting valve lash, rocker arms, tappets what have you and always in a rush when doing it to keep the mess down to a dull roar. This trick will save time in many ways from clean up to assembly and starting the engine after rebuilding the entire motor or just the top end which is key to breaking it in the right way. This applies to simple cam swaps, after lapping valves, etc. 30 years of experience is good enough for me. Hands on experience is by far the best teacher of them all. I've been wrenching longer than that as a hobby engine builder, street strip hot rods. I really appreciate that tidbit of knowledge and will put it to practice soon building a nostalgic sbc 406 for 1935 Chevy Pickup Gasser Drag Truck with Camel Hump Fuelie Heads. Thanks again, I just subscribed to your channel.
Dude, I was overthinking so much after removing my rocker arms on how to adjust them, but this method is so easy and you don't have to worry about anything, AMAZING !
I did a Chevy Silverado 97 vortec 5.7 cylinder head gasket , and I used the same method you are talking about 90° increments , No tapping noises , runs perfect , never failed smog inspection . I did a head job , when it had 238,000 miles , now 332,000 miles and runs sobnice still . Your old school method still useful . Great explanation . Thank you !!!👏👍
If you don't have the intake manifold off, is there a different way to adjust the value train? Wanted to check the torque on the head bolts when I replaced the head gaskets on my 72 Chevy El Camino. The valve assembly is in the way of the head bolts.
WOW!!!! This has been a tremendous help. I was so hesitate to start this rebuild on my 455 mainly due to not understanding the cam and lifter adjustment portion and this TOTALLY made sense and cleared up any doubt. With that said I might have to watch this once or twice more lol but definitely feel confident I can do this now. THANK YOU!!!!!
455 is a Make America Great Again Engine ..Dropped a 1972 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 9 passenger station wagon engine into a 1974 Impala back in the mid 1980's ..400 turbo tranny .3:73 rearend ...That car was a Runner
That’s the way I was taught by my diesel instructor. He used to always have us working on his race cars in class when we weren’t working on diesels . The man was a genius when it came to engines and he showed us this exact method way back then and I do it that way every time and it’s perfect every time.
Awesome video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Too many builders/mechanics guard what they know and let others learn the hard way. In my 35 years of building, I've never seen it done this way. I'm in the middle of a 350 build now and will definitely give this a try.
This guy is a genius. It is an extremely easy process, and it works just like he explains. Would highly recommend doing this as I followed what he said in the video on my big block and it worked amazingly
Thanks so much for this video; it's one of the best and most useful I've seen. You're even working with an engine virtually identical to the one in my '65 Impala SS: the iconic small journal 327 with a factory forged crank, flat top pistons, and double hump heads!
Thanks Ken, the only SBC valve adjustment i have ever done and pur the valve covers back on without any concern of mis adjustment. I have done this many times, and will never do it any other way than shown. A great help thank you sir. MikeTerry
Outstanding procedure and yes it fired right off and runs like it never has yet. I payed no attention to TDC I only marked the balancer @ 90° all around broke loose all rockers and went thru 4 full revolutions. Thank you Sir.
My Stepdad and his brothers were all master mechanics and my stepdad showed me this method years ago I am glad to know that there are others that do it this way
I learned a similar method from Competition Cams 25-30 years ago and it works like magic, I did all my GM engines like this and never had any issues. Forget about those oil clips or making a mess.. I run my valves down 1/2 turn past zero lash and was done, the books say (1) turn and it never ran quite right at that setting and I saw a lot of burnt intake valves on vintage SBC... BTW: 15W40 Diesel Oil has higher levels of Zinc & Phosphorus to prevent wear to the cam lobes, the motorcycle guys use it as a cheap alternative to a specialized oil.
I do the same thing, even the ol diesel engine oil trick before. However with all the smog on diesel engines now a days, they have to exclude the zinc from their oils now. As it can damage the smog system. Better alternative though, summit racing sells high zinc engine oils in many weights to choose from. I particularly love Lucas's 10W40, high zinc and about $30 for 5 qts
Great video, you have a knack for explaining this stuff concisely. Funnily enough I'm doing this for the first time myself, basically following the Haynes manual but checking TH-cam as well. Seeing it done is much easier to follow.
Where were you 35 years ago when I needed you? I had a 1976 Dodge van customized! Captain chairs, shag rug, barn board walls, hardwood floor, with a beautiful 318 2bbrl with headers and glass packs! I hated taking the "dog house" off to access the engine bay. You jogged my memory.
Interesting, I thought that I had the easiest method for a SBC. I set the timing mark on TDC and adjust all of them to zero lash, rotate the crank 360 and zero all the loose ones, give them all 3/4 turn and button it up. Been working fine since 1974. Your method is probable more fool proof.
Thank you so much for making this video I am not a machine but I have always worked on my own vehicles,mostly because I don't have enough money to take it to the shop,and I don't really trust the mechanics around my area. I am 48 and was showed the same way you mentioned about valve covers off and running. But not only have you showed me the best way to adjust them you explained the problem I was having, because I have never had to replace a oil pump before and mine clogged up and installed a new one and broke down. I have been working on my truck for a month and couldn't figure it out. You have saved me from going crazy. Thank you, my truck is a 1997 chevrolet k1500 5.7 and it at 219925 miles and now I think I will get 150000 more miles out of it before I buy a new motor. Thank you, best explained video I have seen yet.
Excellent video sir , goes back to the way I was taught when I first built my first couple of engines ,the other earlier ways you were telling about only made it harder and confusing, outstanding instructional videos
I just finished valve seals on a sbc and set the lifters your way-it took less time without any stress and it started up and ran smooth right now. I hope this answers some questions about new or wet or dry lifters-it don't matter. thanks
To know that if you do it just as the man says to that you will have no issues with your motor when you fire it up should be your SIGN!!!! Don't know about you but I believe this man knows what he is talking about and years of proof is the proof. I followed every step and it was the first time I was able to have a motor start on the first try and never touched the valves again. That was 90,000 miles ago. Bless you my friend and may God continue to bless and watch over you and your shop. Ole Man Dave in Austin, Texas
I’m one of those “older guys” that get wood from a SBC with hump heads!! I love this! I was about to finish the 350 for my 79 Z28 and this was awesome info!! Thank you!!
I had to replace my cam and lifters in a 350 small block and while I was in there, I added roller rockers. I followed this valve adjustment process to a T and my engine started after one crank. Trust his process because it worked like a champ. Thanks for the help.
You have to take the piston out and to do that you take off the clip, pushrod seat and metering plate, then depress the check ball, slide the piston out(rotating and gently). Don’t drop the little parts behind the piston, drain all the oil that will pour out and reassemble. It worked great on my brand new ones that were locked right out of the package.
Thank you Ken for this video. Previously I had set-up the valvetrain in my 302 using the lifter height method you described at the beginning of your video. So I figured it couldn't hurt to spin my rotating assembly through 2 revolutions and check the lash each 1/4 turn. Sure enough I found a few that were loose so I obviously didn't do it correctly. Your simple, error proof method just saved me from having to do a lot of unnecessary readjusting at start-up.
Thank you, I'm my own mechanic and I know air cooled VW's but first my wife's rig, and then the oldest got a Jeep, now the youngest is going to drive... I never stop learning, and you make it easy. Thank you for sharing your obvious YEARS of experience 🙏
I'm glad you called them double hump heads... That's what my dad called them but a lot of people refer to them as camel hump heads, but to me they will always be double hump heads... Great video
Man U just helped me tremendously I been watching all these other videos bout to go crazy tryingto figure out which one to listen to and I’m going with you my friend sounds like you got the experience after 37 years I worked beside a machine shop at an auto parts store called Westwood auto parts in Birmingham Alabama and I listened to them because they knew all the clearances or adjustments ,tolerances that u can do on an engine so I always listened to them so I’m going with u ,machinist always are right much respect my man
LOVE this! About to do it with my 350 still in my '69 Chevy Area 51 security truck though if had to leave it for some reason I'd leave the wrench on the next valve to be done and also be marking off each 90 I did with notepaper marked from 1 to 8 revolutions and marking each done as I complete them. :)
Wished I would of saw this earlier .I just spent 4+ hours going round and round in circles .I finally ended up doing it just like you and bingo she started to run smooth .going back in morn and rotate one more time just to make sure .thanks for the tips .great video .thanks .👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
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I followed this guys instructions almost to a T.Only thing I did differently was I went around more like 12, 90 degree turns instead of 8,made damn sure I was on TDC compression when I was finished.When I finally got my motor all put back together it started right up and is purring like a cat,no tapping,no noise.This was one of the most helpful videos I have ever watched.This guy is the best,I wish I could shake his hand and thank him in person!
Thanks for your recent comments, I plan to use this technique when I swap headS on my 302 HO…MUCH appreciated
Jdb🎉
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If the engine is already in the car do you use the starter to rotate the engine ???
So this would work on an ls3 right?
MY NAME IS JOHNNY MORGAN FROM JAX.,FL. I'M A RETIRED ENGINE ASSEMBLER OF 27YRS. I STARTED IN 1986 I WAS 16YO. OLD SCHOOL ENGINES AND DRAG RACING. I WAS LOOKING UP A CRANE SOLID CAM FOR A BB 454 CHEVY I'M BUILDING AND FOUND KEN'S VIDEO, AFTER WATCHING, ALL I CAN SAY IS KEN IS 1 KNOWLEDGEABLE AWESOME GUY, I DON'T COMMENT OR SUBSCRIBE MUCH BUT KEN GAVE SOME OF HIS KNOWLEDGE TO SHOW AND HELP THOSE THAT WEREN'T QUITE SURE THE BEST WAY IN DETAIL HOW TO ADJUST HYD. VALVES .AS FOR ME A MEMORY OF AN OLD TIMER MR. DANIEL THAT SHOWED ME KEN'S WAY WHEN I WAS 16, SO THANKS KEN FOR THE MEMORY'S AND BEING HELPFUL. I DID SUBSCRIBE. IT'S NICE TO SEE AN OLD SCHOOL VIDEO.
This looks really easy. It was done with dry lifter. What do I do if it’s a motor that has no been running and lifters are already hard and pumped up? Will this process work on a running motor
@@stevenlindquist7430That's the trouble with TH-cam comments and questions; sometimes the guy has moved on to other videos and time doesn't allow them to respond to late questions.
That is a good question? Sorry I don't have the answer. I want to ask him which way the oil hole points on a roller lifter, inward towards the center of the valley or outward towards the head?
I would guess towards the center of the valley. That way the oil would flow back around the base of the lifter keeping the lifter and it's shaft well oiled?
To the younger generation do yourself a favor and listen and learn what this video is offering.
Sometimes the best lessons are not written in a book.
This is “Old School” and the man is an absolute teacher and communicator for his trade.
Thank you. I learned something and it is extremely appreciated!
This guy is AWESOME. Called him up to ask a question. He took my question and was very personable. Even though he did not have to, he took a few moments to have a conversation. Great Guy!
rare
What’s his number
Would say everyone has a purpose plus something to share' with à common interests ' Definitely a plus if someone is willing to learn plus 'trainable'.
What town and state is his shop in
How to ajust the lifters if the lifters already have oil in them can I do it the same way or do I have to buy new lifters
I'm 75 years old, just did your procedure on a new engine build. Where were you 60 years ago when I built my first engine. Thanks times a thousand.
I’m almost 70. Been around engines since I was a child. This is the absolute best video I’ve ever seen on how to adjust valves. You are professional and easy to understand.
Keep up the good work. Thank you
455 olds rebuild here! So glad I came accross this video man! Your about as big a genius as Joe Mondello! Thanks again!
Ken was nice enough to call me back about the issue of doing this on an engine that has been run and the lifters have oil in them.
He said you absolutely can use this method. The only thing that may happen is some of the valves may be open slightly and the engine could run rough for a min or so but will smooth out.
He said not to worry and use this method. That's what I'm going to do on Friday and will let everyone know what happens.
Everything worked out. Car started right up. Thanks Ken!
Were you able to tighten each rocker another 3/4 turn at the end (to set the ~ .035 lash) of as Ken suggested? A few of my lifters seemed to "bottom out" before I got to a full 3/4 of a turn.
Have a 396 in my chevelle that has oil in lifters and need adjustment so this procedure works but may run ruff for a minute or two at start up.
Did you have to take off the intake manifold to this or just the valve covers?
@@214Pmoney you wouldn’t need to take off manifold you can twist rod under rocker his was off for final assembly
Another question, do I have to lossen the rocker arms all the way and then start this procedure? Or start the procedure without loosening the rocker arms?
I've been in the automotive repair industry for 32 years... This is the best video I've seen on how to adjust the valve lash... Big props to you and your technique!!!
My dad done that to my first car when I was 16yrs old...it was an 84 camaro with a 1977 350sb...fired up second time the engine turned over.. He passed on since and this vid reminded me of him, I thought my dad was the only person who adjusted them that way....good video...
This is my 1st time install new Cam and and more. I did exactly what you said and it started the 1st time . Sounded great tuned my carb now has nice idle with new cam. Fires off every time. Your method proved 👌 👏. Thank you.
Nice!
Thank you, sir I’ve watched five or six different videos. Nobody explained why you shouldn’t prime the lifters before you adjust the valves. You explained why ,the spring at the bottom of the piston in the lifter (thank you.) You made it easy to comprehend .👍🏽👍🏽
Ken, I'm 72 and this was the best engine build block of instruction I have ever seen. Thank you so much and thanks also for this new UTUBE stuff that makes this possible. May GOD bless you all...
Excellent advice. Clear, concise instruction. I once heard "If you can't explain something simply enough for someone else to understand, then you don't know the subject well enough." You know your stuff, Ken. Thanks for sharing!
I can not stress this enough. You deserve your own 350 Chevy service manual. And Chevy should pay for it. Not only was this free advice. True advice. And very detailed advice. But it is functional advice. Advice that not one single person has talked down on. Look at this. Almost 3000 positive comments. Ken. I hope where ever you are. Beer and babes flock to you like lambs to a shepherd. You’ve given a gift that not a single one of us deserve.
I’d like to add. I’d sure love to understand top dead center a bit better and how to install a distributor the correct way through your words and eyes. This is my first motor rebuild. Beyond those two things, I would have never understood lash properly. I can not wait to start my 1984 c4 corvette after sitting for 11 years. 31,001 miles when I parked it. Thank you for getting all of us one step further in the motor industry.
How's the C4 project going? got an 89 myself. Fun little cars, thats for sure
Applied this method to 65' Ford 289 and fired right up no more adjustments needed. Thank You for sharing your wisdom and experience.
This procedure worked magnificently on my newly built 350 SBC, with a Comp Cams XE268H hydraulic flat tappet cam and Blueprint H8002K aluminum heads with dual valve springs. Note: Lifters were DRY for the initial break in with the inner valve springs removed. Engine fired almost instantly after a minor distributor adjustment. Inner valve springs have been reinstalled and now ready for the final adjustment. Contacted Ken to see if the procedure has changed since the lifters are now primed after the break in. He indicated the procedure is still the same with a 3/4 turn after obtaining zero lash, but the engine might stumble briefly until the valves self adjust, but this is normal. My sincerest thanks to Ken for this fantastic video, as I'm quite certain it has helped many novice, as well as seasoned engine builders. 2 thumbs up!!
Thanks for posting what he said regarding existing lifters. That was my question and the reason I was reading comments. About to change valve stem seals and will give this a go!
Thank you for that reply, it was the exact reason I was reading through the comments!
So if the lifter have oil in them like for instance your putting new push rods and rockers on the motor but the lifters have been in there with oil in them you can still use this technique is that correct
Thanks for this comment, needed to know if the procedure changes for a recently running vehicle.
@@Studebomber how'd this go? Have to do this same job and want to verify that this video is an okay guide for a vehicle that recently was running. 89 Vette l98 350
Followed this instruction as well and all I had to do is adjust the distributor and she's running!!! Im not a mechanic, just mechanically inclined.
Replaced heads, lifters , rocker arms, valves, seals, push rods, plugs and wires. Its even running on the 351 firing order.
Since it's an F 150 im going back to the 1372 6548 firing order sfter my headers arrive.
THANK YOU it was my first rebuild ever and this worked!!!!
Temporarily. I have non adjustable rockers. With only 3/4 turn after lash they all came loose after the first fire up or two and I simply went back and torqued the rocker bolts to 20 lbs/ ft .of torque.
Tried it again and it ran better than at 3/4 turn.
So far, so good. I'll keep you posted. Great video, thanks again!! St as ying on 351 firing order too😎
Ken, perfect example of GREATNESS. I am a ASE Master Tech, 40+ years in this field. I've been working on engine's, transmissions, differentials, vehicle's of all kind's now, and farm equipment back then, and it feels like forever now. My dad had me re-ringing/bearings small engines by 7-8, pulling out and putting syncro's and re-bearing 3/4 speed transmissions when I was about 12. Dad, he was ole school, adjusting valves his way. Well we mostly had V-8 cars and trucks, so I found my way around them pretty good. Your build in this video, 327ci double hump heads, YA, on my engine stand, going in a 65 K10 in my shop this week. Back about 1972, using a damn old jig saw, I cut the top of the valve covers open, cut my hand on the sharp edges, bend the lid up, to adjust the valves while it was running. Not such as big of a mess than doing it with no valve covers. He thought that was pretty clever. Fast forward, I was checking on here to HOPEFULLY find and easier way to everyone's headache, or refresh my memory. Cam, lifters, heads going on tomorrow night, then it goes in Tues night. Your video, SUPERBLY DONE, totally makes sense. Thank you for the easiest and most effective way I have ever seem.
Yes sir confirmed what I knew and added some things I did not know good job my friend
I was thought to adjust the valves with the engine running definitely a mess doing it that way I'm getting ready to pull the heads off of my 302 to check some things out someone else built the engine before I got the car it's in I definitely will adjust the valves the way he just showed us
Hey bud can I do this on a 390 fe with a non adjustable rocker arm shaft. Use this procedure? Thank you
Something that's been a pain for me for years explained simply and effectively in 22 min. Simply brilliant!
I can’t thank you enough for posting this procedure. I had to remove and replace the heads on my Chevrolet Express. While in there, it seemed prudent to re do the seals etc.
To remove the valve covers you’ve got to loosen the accessory drive brackets and pull them forward from the block.
I followed this procedure methodically, and was rewarded with a perfectly smooth running engine and quiet valve train the first time! No muss, no fuss, no backtracking or re doing the work.
Thank you again!
This is a very simple easy method of adjusting hydronic lifter. Very excellent job and you makes it very easy for me. I have been having a hard time adjusting the valve lash on my pontiac using the other method where rotate the engine until you see the intake rise and close and exhaust start to move. That method wouldn't work for me. Thanks to you Sir for introducing your method.
Excellent video! I am 61 years old and this is by far the easiest way I have ever seen rockers adjusted. I've got to do the Vortec on my GMC Sierra this weekend. But I am not dreading this part anymore. In fact I am looking forward to it so I can show my grandson something new. Thank you and a thumbs up.
Hands down one of the most helpful guides I’ve found in my life. Valvetrain no longer scares me. When I was a kid, I had a mechanic adjust my valves for me on my 350 s10 on his way home one day after work. He made a snide comment that people who don’t know how to do this stuff shouldn’t have these things. 20+ years later, I still think of that day. Had he beed a good person, he would have offered to do it, but only if I would help him so he could show me how to do it. I was a kid, and eager to learn. Hindsight, I could have asked to be taught. I’ve done several motors now this way, and zero issues. Heck, I taught my dad how to do valve adjustments with this guide.
Watch this whole video. No skipping.
Thank you Ken.
I know this is four years old but thank you for taking the time out of your day to teach others.
I tried this procedure on a 302 Ford Bronco. Really impressed me how quiet the engine was at start up. Wish I had seen this video 30 years ago. Thanks Ken for thinking out of the box.
Just about to do this on my own bronco lol 351. glad it worked so well!
I have been building Chevrolet Engines since my teens and am now in my late 50's and the way this is explained is the absolute best I have ever seen or heard. I found out how to do this by trial and error years ago and as most of us old guys who have discovered this can say....it's much better to see and hear FIRST than to have to go thru all the mess and pain in the butt of doing it the other way. Thanks Ken....
Hello hey bud I hve 390 Fe . Witn a nonadjustable rocker arm shaft. Can I use this method..or ?? Thank you!
You are awesome friend, I've never really understood any of this valve stuff until now. And with this information I've been able to build an engine myself without having to get help from other people from my valves tapping all over the place, not staying tight and the engine stalling and running rough. So thank you a lot. Keep doing what you're doing, you're a life saver! Best valve adjustment video on here.
This way is the way. I have tried all different types of techniques and this one did it. No noise, no popping and baning. Thank you.
I have never before done a top end job. I used your method for my 1972 Ford LTD 351w. It worked perfectly. Thanks so much!!!
Following this procedure now for my first SBC rebuild. And finally, someone who says "oil galley" and not "oil gallery"! Thanks!
PHENOMENAL video!!! My old man was a mechanic for 40 plus years… military. Man if I could go back in time and apply this technique to all the motors we rebuilt over the years. You, sir… are THE man!
Just wanted to chime in, Thank You, Sir. By far the best method, did this on a sbc350 and worked out fine for my setup. I added the 3/4 turn for my final. My engine was ran previously to this and some lifter were still oil soaked, didnt make a difference in final outcome, just have to say OUTSTANDING.
Had a question for you will this work if lifters had oil in them already ? Im just doing a gasket change and nit rebuilding whole heads?
yes just be sure to follow along with the video@@devotedanaheim1575
I hope you see this and answer my question. If lifters are already soaked in oil. Do I need to loosen all rocker arms and start the process from the beginning? As I am planning on changing lower intake manifold gasket soon. Thanks
Ive done 2 motors your way now. Both sound mint. Thanks for sharing this bro!
Good feedback for those of us searching for correct information. Thanks Dick!
Wow I Thank God for your video. This is my very first time every working on an engine and of course I chose my 03 chevy tahoe lt with a 5.3 engine To work on. With no real Mechanical knowledge othe than what I've learned from TH-cam. Trying figured out why my RPMs were run low. I came to the conclusion, that it must a compression problem. Made me think of replacing all that gaskets and seals. Which I came to find that i had three popped bolts on my exhaust manifold, as I was working on removing the head to replace the gasket. All the while wondering how in the world am I going to get this all back together without screwing it up. Then Boom, your video pops up. Your right those other methods are way to complicated and time consuming. Coming across you video allowed me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm honored to be learning timeless knowledge and wisdom from a wise gent like yourself. Definitely looking forward to more of your videos brother as I need all the help and knowledge i can get. Thank you. Peace and blessing.
This is a huge help for people like me who are learning to do this as a hobby with no one to teach them. Thank you i love building my hotrods and fixing my own vehicles but there is still a lot i need to learn.
Ive been doing it this exact same way since 1977! You are 100% CORRECT! Important to repeat though, like you said, cant soak the lifters in oil. Great advice! Great channel!
Painted Bear so if I soaked the lifters in oil prior to installing but have not pumped or run the engine can I still do this method or did I need to buy new lifters and start over?
My gm 3400 has a specific torque rating for the rocker arm bolts so does that mean I just install the pushrods, torque to spec and I'm good to go?
i'm certanly no expert but i've put a handful of sbc engines together and i really enjoy rebuilding an engine but the least enjoyable part was always the valve adjustment boing tedious pain in the butt. in the coming months i'm putting together a 78 350 and i am looking forward to using your method. thank you. you are truly a professional and thank you for sharing this wisdom.
After watching this great video again 6 months later, I have come to the conclusion It is well worth the time pulling off the intake to do this. Thanks Ken, Makes much more sense this time around.
If you understand overlap none of it is an issue it can be done dry without running the engine with the overlap method it works on any engine 246 or 8 cylinder
I’m wondering if you can do it without removing the intake ?
You can still “feel” the pushrod. Thoughts ?
@@Timmytownhouse Yeah, on the engine I am working on currently, you would be able to grab the very top of each pushrod without removing the intake - - but ... if the intake is not off, doesn't that imply that the lifters would be full of oil (having been in a running condition)?
This makes more sense than anything I ever seen. You are a good mechanic. Thanks for sharing this video
That cool
you can just tell when someone knows what they're talking about and portrays that confidence. thanks a million! this is exactly what i needed to come across
Hey Ken, I’d like to start out by saying I’m 28, and I dig that 327 just as much as the hot 350 I built and the 383 in the pickup I just bought. I started wrenching the wrong way early in high school, and started doin it the right way a few years ago. I gotta say, out of all the valves I’ve lashed, I never would have thought of this method, it’s genius. So thank you very much for the lesson, I’m gonna go watch the rest!
Hey Ken, I'm 65 years old and I've been a mechanic all my life since the first time I changed the spark plug in my first lawnmower when I was 7 years old and my grandfather who was a master mechanic was starting to teach me about motors. When I re-built my first 327 is when he showed me this method. I have also been taught by him how to put together engines without any type of torque wrench. My first introduction to this was watching him put together an old John Deere tractor engine without and torque wrench. He re-built that old motor about 45 years ago and it is still running today and it still does not have any leaks on the engine.
M
Hey bud was hoping for some help... i have a 390 fe with non adjustable rocker arm shaft. Can i use this method? I also need to set the preload ( not sure if these 2 things are the same. I'm a bit confused please help . Trying get her back on her feet . Thx buddy
I put valve stem seals in my 1992 chevy truck 5.7 engine while in the truck. Your method worked perfect! Thanks
Great video man I've never seen valve adjustment done that way but it makes total sense! I'm gonna try that on my next build. You need to make more videos man don't let that 30+ years of experience disappear.
I have many videos on Facebook at Ellison's Machine Shop. I will be having a lot more content uploaded to TH-cam soon. Thanks for following!
@@ellisonsmachineshop-youren4268 I do mine close to that but only when the lifter is down.
Yes!!!!
@@aksgarage3230 thank God finally someone with a brain
Ellison Empire thanks man this seems easy enough ill try do my own valves
THANKS A MILLION! I have rebuilt numerous 350 SBCs and have always had hell adjusting those rocker arms. I have 2 engines on stands right now and can't wait to try this technique! It makes perfect sense!
How did those motors turn out using this technique?
Thank you for this video. I just used this procedure with unbelievable results. The motor ran absolutely perfect with no mess. in the past I always hated painting an engine and then making a mess adjusting the valves. thanks to you those days are gone.
🤡
That is how my shop teacher showed us way back in 1984, and how I show my students today.
What if liters have been run already
@@jdcorben6541 do it cold in the morning and turn over the engine by hand if possible. if not pull the coil wire and pump it over slowly so as not to build oil pressure. i did it to my truck this weekend using this method and it runs better than ever.
Will this work on my 2013 chevy 5.3
@@merfeldmerfeld7792 no. Those valves are adjusted so much different
@@jdcorben6541if you’re dealing with lifters that are pre pumped, stop at zero lash instead of the extra 1/4-3/4 turn, in fact, I prefer zero
Hands down the best valve adjustment video on youtube!!!
I agree
easy peasy @ NOT under the hood ...... do U 2 TUBS get IT
It might be the best one you've seen so far, but he's still not doing it right. Here's the right way. I worked for GM for 30 years on designing heads. I'm not going to type all of it again but here it is copied and pasted from the post I wrote on his video. You'll know this is correct because it will make more since than his. I HATE TO BUST YOUR BALLS, BUT YOU'RE ONLY DOING IT HALF RIGHT WHICH MEANS YOU'RE WRONG. DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT, GO GET A CHEVROLET SHOP MANUAL, THE ONE ONLY THE DEALERSHIPS GET, BACK IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THAT'S WHERE THE INFO I'M ABOUT TO TELL YOU COMES FROM. YEA, THE PEOPLE WHO INVENTED THE THING. YOU START WITH NUMBER 1 CYLINDER, ON THE COMPRESSION STROKE, PISTON AT TOP DEAD CENTER, OR ALL THE WAY UP AND MAKE SURE IT'S THE COMPRESSION STROKE. BOTH VALVES ARE CLOSED ON THE COMPRESSION STROKE AND ON THE LOWEST PART OF THE CAM. YOU SPIN THE PUSH ROD ON BOTH VALVES ON THAT CYLINDER ONLY AND GET THEM TO ZERO LASH LIKE YOU'RE DOING IN YOUR VIDEO AND THEN YOU STOP. YOU'VE GOT THAT PART RIGHT. NEXT, YOU SPIN THE MOTOR A QUARTER TURN, THIS PUTS THE NEXT PISTON THAT FIRES, AT TOP DEAD CENTER, WHICH ON MOST CHEVY MOTORS WOULD BE NUMBER 8, YOU SPIN THOSE PUSH RODS UNTIL YOU REACH ZERO LASH THEN STOP, TURN THE MOTOR ANOTHER QUARTER TURN AND ADJUST CYLINDER NUMBER 4, EACH TIME YOU TURN THE MOTOR A QUARTER TURN, IT BRINGS THE NEXT PISTON TO FIRE, UP TO THE TOP AND YOU GO RIGHT DOWN THE FIRING ORDER UNTIL YOU'VE DONE THEM ALL 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2. HYDRAULIC LIFTERS HAVE A HUNDRED THOUSANDTHS TRAVEL IN THEM, SO THE NEXT THING YOU DO IS GO BACK AND TURN THE ADJUSTMENT NUT ON ALL 16 VALVES, ONE WHOLE TURN. YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPIN THE MOTOR TO DO THIS, JUST DO ONE FULL TURN ON ALL OF THEM. THIS PUTS THE LIFTER HALF WAY INTO THE TRAVEL DISTANCE, 50 THOUSANDTHS AND THAT MY FRIEND IS THE MOST ACCURATE AND PRECISE WAY ITS DONE BY THE PEOPLE THAT INVENTED THE SMALL BLOCK AND BIG BLOCK ENGINES. ANYONE WHO READS THIS SHOULD KNOW IT MAKES MORE SINCE THAN THE SLOPPY WAY YOU'RE DOING IT. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW THE CORRECT WAY TO DO SOMETHING, GO TO THE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT AND GET ONE OF THEIR BOOKS AND WHAT YOU'LL FIND OUT IS MOST PEOPLE REALLY THINK IN THEIR HEART THEY ARE RIGHT AND ARE SINCERE ABOUT IT, LIKE THIS GUY, AND HE REALLY MEANS WELL, BUT HE'S WRONG AND IF HE READS THIS, AND HE REALLY WANT'S TO DO IT THE RIGHT WAY, HE'LL CORRECT HIS VIDEO.
U STILL BROKEN DOWN a taylor ... I am NOT going give RACE secret > for free FUK t you whiTE man haters .. your > < MATH SUCKS @ Valve good Grief ..
Greatly Agree with Tim
I cannot THANK YOU enough for this video. Very didactic. I've rebuilt a few engines so far at home. They all are running smoothly.
I was taught this back in 1987 from my neighbor who had a Top Sportsman car. It's so simple, saves time, saves money, and you don't throw tools trying to adjust them right. GREAT VID!
Love ur simple & smart way to adjust the lifters/rockers ur the man bud thanks for the great tip God bless u!
What if it had oil? Can I do this with oil?
What if you're, for whatever reason, taking the rockers out and putting an engine back together with the original lifters (wet) not being removed, such as replacing rockers or a head gasket , heads and so on?
Is it still going to be the same process or is it different? With the lifters being oil filled, wont they bleed off/
self adjust from sitting after a period of time or when the engine is cranked over?
And why haven't you shared this information with the rest of us? Off with your head...
Thanks, Now That's A handy Bit Of Know How.
I've made a lot of messes adjusting valve lash, rocker arms, tappets what have you and always in a rush when doing it to keep the mess down to a dull roar.
This trick will save time in many ways from clean up to assembly and starting the engine after rebuilding the entire motor or just the top end which is key to breaking it in the right way.
This applies to simple cam swaps, after lapping valves, etc.
30 years of experience is good enough for me. Hands on experience is by far the best teacher of them all.
I've been wrenching longer than that as a hobby engine builder, street strip hot rods.
I really appreciate that tidbit of knowledge and will put it to practice soon building a nostalgic sbc 406 for 1935 Chevy Pickup Gasser Drag Truck with Camel Hump Fuelie Heads.
Thanks again, I just subscribed to your channel.
Dude, I was overthinking so much after removing my rocker arms on how to adjust them, but this method is so easy and you don't have to worry about anything, AMAZING !
I did a Chevy Silverado 97 vortec 5.7 cylinder head gasket , and I used the same method you are talking about 90° increments ,
No tapping noises , runs perfect , never failed smog inspection .
I did a head job , when it had 238,000 miles , now 332,000 miles and runs sobnice still .
Your old school method still useful .
Great explanation .
Thank you !!!👏👍
Thank you, rebuilding my 305 and the rocker arms were giving me a headache. Very helpful info!
I learned how to adjust valves years ago. this is the easiest way I have ever heard of. I'm doing it this way the next time. Great Video!
Been building SBC's for forty five years. This is the PERFECT way to adjust the rockers. Great video.
If you don't have the intake manifold off, is there a different way to adjust the value train? Wanted to check the torque on the head bolts when I replaced the head gaskets on my 72 Chevy El Camino. The valve assembly is in the way of the head bolts.
An engine builder here in my area told me that but I've never actually seen it done thank you for bringing it to light awesome job . 👍
WOW!!!! This has been a tremendous help. I was so hesitate to start this rebuild on my 455 mainly due to not understanding the cam and lifter adjustment portion and this TOTALLY made sense and cleared up any doubt. With that said I might have to watch this once or twice more lol but definitely feel confident I can do this now. THANK YOU!!!!!
455 is a Make America Great Again Engine ..Dropped a 1972 Oldsmobile Custom Cruiser 9 passenger station wagon engine into a 1974 Impala back in the mid 1980's ..400 turbo tranny .3:73 rearend ...That car was a Runner
I have learned more in this video than ever. You literally are a awesome teacher
Been doing it the same way for almost 20years.never had to go back to adjust valves.Great video.
That’s the way I was taught by my diesel instructor. He used to always have us working on his race cars in class when we weren’t working on diesels . The man was a genius when it came to engines and he showed us this exact method way back then and I do it that way every time and it’s perfect every time.
What about when the lifters are already primed? Can this still be used?
@@FloridafishingwithRick have you found the answer?
@@jsolo7576 yeah. I ended up doing it with them primed. It worked. Which I took my time and went around more than I probably had to.
@@FloridafishingwithRick did you do it i with or without the intake manifold?
@@perlav1056 with it on
I'm getting ready to rework my 305. And I wanted a simple way to adjust rocker arms. This video is absolutely genius!
Awesome video! Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Too many builders/mechanics guard what they know and let others learn the hard way. In my 35 years of building, I've never seen it done this way. I'm in the middle of a 350 build now and will definitely give this a try.
It worked out for u?
@@5300trilla 100%
I didn't even know how to adjust valves and I really thank you for making it very simple.
This guy is a genius. It is an extremely easy process, and it works just like he explains. Would highly recommend doing this as I followed what he said in the video on my big block and it worked amazingly
Thanks so much for this video; it's one of the best and most useful I've seen. You're even working with an engine virtually identical to the one in my '65 Impala SS: the iconic small journal 327 with a factory forged crank, flat top pistons, and double hump heads!
Awesome. I've been doing it like this for 40 years. This is the same way my Dad showed me.
Thanks Ken, the only SBC valve adjustment i have ever done and pur the valve covers back on without any concern of mis adjustment. I have done this many times, and will never do it any other way than shown. A great help thank you sir. MikeTerry
Stamped Blue Ribbon and officially entered as historical reference: Ellison Lashing Technique.
Built a engine on monday used your method and engine cranked with a sweet peer.Thanks Scott
Outstanding procedure and yes it fired right off and runs like it never has yet. I payed no attention to TDC I only marked the balancer @ 90° all around broke loose all rockers and went thru 4 full revolutions. Thank you Sir.
My Stepdad and his brothers were all master mechanics and my stepdad showed me this method years ago I am glad to know that there are others that do it this way
I learned a similar method from Competition Cams 25-30 years ago and it works like magic, I did all my GM engines like this and never had any issues. Forget about those oil clips or making a mess.. I run my valves down 1/2 turn past zero lash and was done, the books say (1) turn and it never ran quite right at that setting and I saw a lot of burnt intake valves on vintage SBC... BTW: 15W40 Diesel Oil has higher levels of Zinc & Phosphorus to prevent wear to the cam lobes, the motorcycle guys use it as a cheap alternative to a specialized oil.
I do the same thing, even the ol diesel engine oil trick before. However with all the smog on diesel engines now a days, they have to exclude the zinc from their oils now. As it can damage the smog system. Better alternative though, summit racing sells high zinc engine oils in many weights to choose from. I particularly love Lucas's 10W40, high zinc and about $30 for 5 qts
yep that how we did it for erson cams but the 40w diesel oil thats what we learned back in the 90's fail safe proof
Thank you sir. You thought me a very important lesson. As a car guy you never stop learning new techniques to do the job right.
Best technique ever! Makes perfect sense. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. My only question is why am I just learning this now lol!
Great video, you have a knack for explaining this stuff concisely.
Funnily enough I'm doing this for the first time myself, basically following the Haynes manual but checking TH-cam as well. Seeing it done is much easier to follow.
Where were you 35 years ago when I needed you? I had a 1976 Dodge van customized! Captain chairs, shag rug, barn board walls, hardwood floor, with a beautiful 318 2bbrl with headers and glass packs! I hated taking the "dog house" off to access the engine bay. You jogged my memory.
Interesting, I thought that I had the easiest method for a SBC. I set the timing mark on TDC and adjust all of them to zero lash, rotate the crank 360 and zero all the loose ones, give them all 3/4 turn and button it up. Been working fine since 1974. Your method is probable more fool proof.
So simple, yet completely genius.
Thank you so much for making this video I am not a machine but I have always worked on my own vehicles,mostly because I don't have enough money to take it to the shop,and I don't really trust the mechanics around my area. I am 48 and was showed the same way you mentioned about valve covers off and running. But not only have you showed me the best way to adjust them you explained the problem I was having, because I have never had to replace a oil pump before and mine clogged up and installed a new one and broke down. I have been working on my truck for a month and couldn't figure it out. You have saved me from going crazy. Thank you, my truck is a 1997 chevrolet k1500 5.7 and it at 219925 miles and now I think I will get 150000 more miles out of it before I buy a new motor. Thank you, best explained video I have seen yet.
Excellent video sir , goes back to the way I was taught when I first built my first couple of engines ,the other earlier ways you were telling about only made it harder and confusing, outstanding instructional videos
I just finished valve seals on a sbc and set the lifters your way-it took less time without any stress and it started up and ran smooth right now. I hope this answers some questions about new or wet or dry lifters-it don't matter. thanks
To know that if you do it just as the man says to that you will have no issues with your motor when you fire it up should be your SIGN!!!!
Don't know about you but I believe this man knows what he is talking about and years of proof is the proof.
I followed every step and it was the first time I was able to have a motor start on the first try and never touched the valves again. That was 90,000 miles ago. Bless you my friend and may God continue to bless and watch over you and your shop.
Ole Man Dave in Austin, Texas
This video is so awesome, thanks for letting us pick your brain to learn some new tricks.
I’m one of those “older guys” that get wood from a SBC with hump heads!! I love this! I was about to finish the 350 for my 79 Z28 and this was awesome info!! Thank you!!
I had to replace my cam and lifters in a 350 small block and while I was in there, I added roller rockers. I followed this valve adjustment process to a T and my engine started after one crank. Trust his process because it worked like a champ. Thanks for the help.
Oh Yeah man! That was "THE TICKET" right there. Best method Iv'e ever seen or heard of in 25 years. I liked and subbed.
I've been doing my lifters the old school way for 35 years. Thank you for showing me your way. You have a new subscriber 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Thanks for following Joe!
You have to take the piston out and to do that you take off the clip, pushrod seat and metering plate, then depress the check ball, slide the piston out(rotating and gently). Don’t drop the little parts behind the piston, drain all the oil that will pour out and reassemble. It worked great on my brand new ones that were locked right out of the package.
Thx for this video ! Im new too adjusting valves and after watching this i feel confident in doing my 383 sbc now . Thank you!
Thank you Ken for this video. Previously I had set-up the valvetrain in my 302 using the lifter height method you described at the beginning of your video. So I figured it couldn't hurt to spin my rotating assembly through 2 revolutions and check the lash each 1/4 turn. Sure enough I found a few that were loose so I obviously didn't do it correctly. Your simple, error proof method just saved me from having to do a lot of unnecessary readjusting at start-up.
I think that's a great idea I like my firing order overlap method thank you very much
When I seen mr. Ellison I knew this was the video I was looking for. Kudos!
Thank you, I'm my own mechanic and I know air cooled VW's but first my wife's rig, and then the oldest got a Jeep, now the youngest is going to drive... I never stop learning, and you make it easy. Thank you for sharing your obvious YEARS of experience 🙏
I'm glad you called them double hump heads... That's what my dad called them but a lot of people refer to them as camel hump heads, but to me they will always be double hump heads... Great video
I'm gonna call it the Ellison technique to all I know. Big props to you for sharing an awesome tip!!✌
I like that THANK YOU!
God Bless you Ken for sharing this awesome tidbit on how to properly tighten down the valvetrain of any pushrod actuated engine.
Man U just helped me tremendously I been watching all these other videos bout to go crazy tryingto figure out which one to listen to and I’m going with you my friend sounds like you got the experience after 37 years I worked beside a machine shop at an auto parts store called Westwood auto parts in Birmingham Alabama and I listened to them because they knew all the clearances or adjustments ,tolerances that u can do on an engine so I always listened to them so I’m going with u ,machinist always are right much respect my man
LOVE this! About to do it with my 350 still in my '69 Chevy Area 51 security truck though if had to leave it for some reason I'd leave the wrench on the next valve to be done and also be marking off each 90 I did with notepaper marked from 1 to 8 revolutions and marking each done as I complete them. :)
Wished I would of saw this earlier .I just spent 4+ hours going round and round in circles .I finally ended up doing it just like you and bingo she started to run smooth .going back in morn and rotate one more time just to make sure .thanks for the tips .great video .thanks .👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Man ! I just wanted to say thank you for this video . I did the same thing to my Chevy 350 . Great video !!!!