Rocker Arm/Hydraulic Lifter Adjustment 

Ok

The best I learned fast

Agreed!!!

8l

Question, can you adjust the values with the intake manifold still on the engine?

Hey Tony, so glad we could help out with your project and we really appreciate the kind words and the comment 😁 Nelson

All I ever done when it comes to adjusting lifters is just leave them as they are I never rotate or rock the engine or lifters all I do is just go down the line and tighten them until there is absolutely no slack at all in the lifters and leave it at that and so far out of all the years that I've been doing mechanic work I've never had any problems yet

​@@michaelscott8129I'm working on my 72 Chevy El Camino with a 350 small block. Wanting to check the head bolts for torque since I didn't put thread sealer on the head bolts. I was young and no Internet in those days.

Maybe Nelson is your husband :D

No its not. Theres a better MUCH easier and bulletproof way to get the valves perfectly adjusted to 3/4 preload on the lifter. This guy is WAY over complicating this

@@Kmecha84 make a video so we can all get a good laugg

@@James_the_Builderlaugg?

That is true, is a really good teaching,

Hey Higgy! 😁 Thank you so much for the kind words. I enjoyed that class time as much as you did 😁 Very proud of you too. Nelson

Hey JoDo, we appreciate the kind words and glad we could be a part of your projects! Nelson

Hey Lanny, we appreciate the kind words and the comment. Good luck on your projects and God Bless, Nelson.

Thank you so much. This is my dad giving the instruction throughout the video. He’s been an Automotive Instructor at a high school level for over 20 years now, he loves it! The world of automotive is dying off to my age group and he loves to keep the fire kindled teaching new things!

​@@mitchnelsonperformanceexcellent format 👏

Very much appreciate the kind words 😊

Mitch you should really consider a position in the teaching aspect of engine building...laid out in simple form, I've witnessed my son's turning there engines a hundred times while adjusting their lifters and a hundred times I've explained this method but they're just at the "know it all" stage in their lives so be that the case I just sit back and laugh...one of them will walk by and I'll say I think I heard yur lifters tapping...and there they go...a hundred and one times...lol I've been doing this all my life I'm glad you've given the method a practical title "rock and adjust"...they might listen if I mention rock lol...great video

Yes I agree very interesting thank you very much

Homework4.0...... please understand that we are not adjusting valves! No adjustment can be made to a valve that is installed and has been spring loaded. We are adjusting the depth of the cam follower plunger.

Hey Timbo, thanks for the comment, and I teach juniors and seniors at a career center so I know all about that “know it all” comment 😁 Thanks again Nelson

Thanks for viewing and the kind words! Valve spring swap would be a good video, I’ll keep that in mind! Good luck on your projects, Nelson

Hey David, really appreciate the kind words and the comment. Good luck on your projects. Nelson

Thanks very much for the comment! We will see about adding that to the search. Good luck on your projects! Nelson

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Hey Al, I appreciate the kind words and the comment! It’s always good to have a professional to comment on the video. Thanks again, Nelson

Thank you! and thanks for the comment Cale.

Hey David glad we could help on your future projects. Thank you for the kind words and the comment! Nelson

Miss you guys too. Enjoyed that school year.

Thanks Jigsaw! Appreciate the kind words! More videos coming soon! Nelson

@@mitchnelsonperformance Don't know if you work Outboard marine engines, but would love a 4 cylinder or 6 cylinder rocker arm adjustment video on those. Maybe Honda or Yamaha. I know Honda have some outboards based on accord 4 cylinder fuel injected engines. Also other good suggestions is tolerances and using the cam checker (gauge) on the cam shaft.

@@CSJiGSaW08 I will for sure consider that!

@@mitchnelsonperformance 🙌🙌

Literally watching this cause I just built the 351w in my truck and the valves where tapping

Hello, we have more videos in the making on sbc so make sure you subscribe. Thank you 😁

Hey Anthony, Really appreciate the kind words my friend. More videos coming soon. Thanks for subscribing! Nelson

Really appreciate the kind words Francisco.

Hey Pete, really appreciate the kind words! And subscribing! We plan to do more engine instructional videos soon. Glad we could be a part of your projects. Nelson

Valve train*

Hey Carl, we appreciate the kind words! Glad we could be a part on your projects. Nelson

@@mitchnelsonperformance yes very interesting 🤔 you know I had a friend long ago - showed me how to adjust the Rocker arms - he had 2- valve covers cut Long ways - so he could adjust while Engine was running ! No oil spilling at all ! Adjusted till the tapping Quit 😳 what are your thoughts on that Mr. Nelson ?

Hey Jimmy, I’ve seen that method too, but the big concern is trying to hear that specific rocker while all of them are tapping and also just how much preload you’re really getting on the lifter cup. Thanks for the question and commenting! Nelson

Carl, please understand that we are NOT adjusting valves. (that is a misnomer). With a mechanical camshaft, we set the clearance between the rocker arm tip and the valve stem. With a hydraulic camshaft, we set the depth of the cam follower's (aka lifter) plunger. As I mentioned earlier, once a valve has been installed, the spring fitted, retained and clipped, there is no valve adjustment that can be made. Reply

Hey Stephen, thank you for the kind words and the comment! Good luck on your projects! Nelson

Hey Mark, appreciate the kind words 😁 glad it helped you out. Bless you too my friend! God is too good to us all.

Hey Nick, glad we could be of help on the project! Thanks for the kind words. Nelson

Hello and thanks for viewing and the kind words! 1/2 turn is just fine 👌 a range of 1/2 to one full turn will work for lifter pre-load. Good luck on your projects ,Nelson

Thank’s Grant! Glad it helped. Working on more videos soon!

Thanks for commenting! And good luck on the Magnum project!

Thank you for the kind words Adam and great job on the lifter bore video!

hey Bang Bang, glad we could help on your project! Nelson p.s. don’t break anything 😁

Hey Ernie, thanks we really appreciate the kind words. Good luck on all your projects!

We appreciate the kind words and thanks for the comment and letting us be a part of your project! Nelson

Hey Custom Geek, we appreciate you subscribing and the view and the kind words 👍 Glad we can be a part of your projects. I’m sure it will go smooth as butter😁. Nelson

Really do appreciate the kind words. We hope to do more videos soon.

Hey Brian, thanks for the kind words and we’re glad we could help out on the project! Good luck and have fun! Nelson

Really appreciate those kind words! My son does the camera work and editing and he is amazing at it. More videos in the making!

Yep! 90 deg! Most hydraulic lifters will work from 1/4 to 1 full turn.Thanks for the comment tankeater!

Hey Harold, true, true! I should have made that info part of the video. Hmmm perhaps a future video plan? Thanks for the comment Harold!

Hey Fernando, thank you for the kind words and commenting. Glad we could be a part of your projects, Nelson.

Appreciate the kind words Bill

Hey Brian, poly locks are the way to go! Thanks for the comment! Nelson

Hello my friend, I want to adjust my engine rocker arm, the reason because I hear a clicking sound in my valve covers, also one of the gasket valve covers is leaking oil so I want to take that opportunity to adjust my valves all because I'm going to be there around the valves so why not try to fix the problem, hopefully you can help me, I have a 1997 mercury mountaineer AWD 5.0L/302 it belongs to the Ford family, it's a V8 engine, do you think it is possible to adjust it myself I just do not have the specifications on how to adjust it properly but like you say by feel and sight it can be done. Would you please explain this method if it works on my car, thanks in advance for your help, if it's possible my friend. Thanks..

Hey Norman, glad we could be a part of your project and congrats! Nelson

Glad it was helpful! and thanks for the comment and kind words 👍

Very much appreciate the kind words friend!

@@mitchnelsonperformance your more than welcome sir. If your not an automotive teacher by trade, you missed your calling!! Alot can be learned by you. Thanks again sir and god bless!

Hey Thomas, thanks for the kind words and letting us be a part of your project! Nelson

Great! Congrats on the truck project and thank you for subscribing!

Appreciate the kind words and comment!

Great👌 Glad we could be a part of the project in the Netherlands 😁

Great! The older Dodge shaft type (non-adjustable) rocker system can be “adjusted” by changing the length of the pushrods instead to get a desired lifter preload if needed. This is also the common procedure on the newer LS engines. Thanks for viewing and subscribe. More videos on the way. Good luck on your project!

So much more fun to remove the engine and do it on a stand

Really appreciate that! Thanks for the comment Aliano

Great! and yes, I’m sure that Vette was less than fun 😁

Hello Tiziano! Thank you so much for the kind words and letting us be a part of your projects there in Italy! Thanks for the comment and liking and subscribing! More videos coming soon. Nelson

That’s great! I’m glad it worked for you and congrats on getting it going! Thanks for the comment and subscribing.

Good! Glad we could help and be a part of your project 😁👍 Thank you for viewing and commenting. Nelson

Appreciate the kind words Hwp405!

Hey Pete, really appreciate the kind words. Congrats on the 454 project! Glad we could be a part of it.

Hey Matt, we appreciate the kind words and thanks for the comment and subscribing. More engine videos soon. Good luck on your projects, Nelson

Hey Duane, thanks for viewing and the kind words! Good luck on your projects! Nelson

Hello Will, thank you for the kind words and the comment! Good luck on your 350 project! God bless us all, Nelson

Great James! Good luck on the project and thanks for subscribing. More videos on the way soon.

Hello Aidan, thank you so much for the kind words and viewing. Hope it helped you on your project. Nelson

Thank You Antonio

Hey Anthony, glad you like the video and thanks for the kind words and the comment! Nelson

​@@mitchnelsonperformance😅

Thanks for the kind words and commenting! I see you’re a bike guy. I have a little 100cc land speed bike that we built here at the shop. Holds 2 records. Fun project. Thanks again for viewing! Nelson

Hey Javelin, just grab a wrench jump in with both feet 😁 Thanks for the comment! Nelson

Forgot to Ask you can I do this on a Harley Davidson Motor 🤔

Hey Frank, Thanks for the comment and kind words. I think I would look into the recommended procedure for that Harley. They do not have pistons that are at TDC and BDC at the same time (opposite each other) like a V8 does. If that makes any sense at all 🤯

Yep, I’ve seen a few guys do it that way through the years. Gotta have good ears 😁

Hey Scooter, You don’t necessarily have to view the lifters when doing the process, if the intake is on. You can also watch the movement of the pushrod/rocker arms if the intake is installed. You will see them move into overlap (the ROCK position). I’ve adjusted many engines that way. Just keep track of your cylinder locations to keep you on track. You can also use the ignition/starter to rotate the engine through the process but remember it only takes a slight bump of the key to turn the crankshaft the needed 90 deg. It helps to have a friend bump the key while you pay attention to the rockers. Good Luck with the project. Thanks for the comment and please like and subscribe

Hey Ron, appreciate the kind words and subscribing! Nelson

So dry lifters? Lubricant on outside of lifters.and under rocker nut?

Hello, I’ve taken all 8 myself as well. Good Luck on your test and thank you for the comment! Perhaps our channel should think about possibly doing some ASE test review info videos? Thanks for the thought. Nelson

@@mitchnelsonperformance buddy, just took my test and passed!! The very complex exam did contain several questions regarding push rod engines including pre-loading and your video definitely helped on my test. I wanted to thank you once more for taking the time to explain this! 🙂

@@dortiz_dk3443 Congrats!!!

No problem! We appreciate the kind words and are working on more videos soon so we hope you subscribed!

Hey Darby, glad we could help on your project and thanks for the comment! Nelson

Hey Anthony, glad we could be part of the build! Good luck on your projects. Nelson

Hey Eric, thank you for the kind comment. Good luck on your projects! Nelson

Hey mdezotell, glad we could be a part of your project! Thanks for viewing and subscribing! Nelson

Glad we could help on the project. Hope it’s running smooth now!

Really appreciate the kind words!

Appreciate the kind words my friend. Good luck on your projects!

Thank you very much!

Thank ya!

Hello, thank you for the comment and kind words! Glad we could be a part of your Jeep project. Nelson

Thank you! and thanks for viewing! Nelson

Hey Tony, really appreciate the kind words and the comment! Glad we could be a part of your projects! Nelson

I’ll tell u I have looked at other videos and this one is the best ever it should be showed all across the board so young kids can see how it’s done even more so people like that’s been a mechanic for over 20 years

I appreciate that. I worked for Jasper Engine and Transmission for 7 yrs before I became an Automotive teacher and I owe much of my knowledge to the old guys that were generous enough to pass it on to me when I got started and I remember them every time I pass it on to others. And I’m learning more every day. Thank you again Tony.

Hi maybe u can help I installed a retro lifter in my 351 and of course followed ur intelligence in adjusting the rocker. So what’s happening is I primed the motor spinning the oil pump for several minutes and the lifter is super hard not really allowing me to spin the motor at all as of though the valve is hitting the piston Yet prior to priming everything was perfect Am I doing something wrong pushrods are good only worries is that the lifter got that hard acting like a solid lifter. Do u have any suggestions? Thanks a million

I know u guys are a very busy shop so I cleaned the lifters and now working properly again I appreciate ur videos

Hey Ray, thank you for the comment and the kind words. Did you notice the 68 C10 in the background of the video?😁 Good luck on your projects! Nelson

@@mitchnelsonperformance yes very briefly

its our 68 shop truck. We also have a 71 GMC and a 72 Chevy.

@@mitchnelsonperformance That's cool. I'm going to start this year on my 1st 2 projects ,1962 and 1963 C10s. Looking ar the Silverado 5.3 engine. Any suggestions helpful. Thanks. Trucker Ray ✝️

The 5.3 is always a good choice. Very reliable. We have a 1960 flat bed ton dually also 😁

Thanks Russell!

Hey Milford, thanks for the comment and the kind words! Glad we could help on your projects.

Yep, when I was around 10 yrs old I remember my dad and a friend adjusting them “live”. Gotta listen close 😁

50 years ago after adjusting my rocker arms I double checked the rocker to valve clearance engine running and a feeler gauge. If it was too tight the feeler jammed....too loose also not good. When just right you could feel it .

@@davidburman451 I can picture how that could for sure work on a solid lift. And you could just move right down the head One valve to the next while it was running. Neat idea/method.

I was a teenager ...picked up engine building tips from an apprentice GM mechanic that had cut his teeth building motorcycles. The gang worked out of a small drive barn on a farm. It had a chicken coup attached. My brother in law was licensed also GM he built and raced stock cars at the local track. You cant buy an education like that. Weekends would see Nova's...Cougars...Mustangs come up their to receive some magic. MG's were always welcome as long as it had wheels and ran. Still working on shade tree projects doing a mild Ford 5.0 for my 88 T bird this winter plus I have a Spitfire engine I'm just assembling now. Loved your videos

@@davidburman451 I gotta agree, they don’t make guys like that anymore. Guys that truly loved turning a wrench no matter what it “pays” and that’s what makes an awesome technician/mechanic.Totally different drive back then. I started building engines in a dirt floor shop myself. I’ve just always loved anything on wheels and owe my life skill and knowledge to many of those guys for taking the time to answer my questions back before you could just “type” it in 😊

Thanks Richard! Glad we could be a part of your projects, Nelson

Hey Mark, The valve springs will bleed the oil out of the lifters as you turn the engine over as the rocker pushes the valve spring down. This will get the plunger off the wire clip in the lifter. The valve spring pressure has enough force to push the pushrod into the lifter bleeding the oil back slightly since the oil pump is not producing oil pressure unless the engine is running. You don’t necessarily have to view the lifters when doing the process, if the intake is on. You can also watch the movement of the pushrod/rocker arms if the intake is installed. You will see them move into overlap (the ROCK position). I’ve adjusted many engines that way. Just keep track of your cylinder locations to keep you on track. You can also use the ignition/starter to rotate the engine through the process but remember it only takes a slight bump of the key to turn the crankshaft the needed 90 deg. It helps to have a friend bump the key while you pay attention to the rockers. New lifters on a used cam is fine. Old lifters on a new cam or swapping used lifters from hole to hole on a cam is a bad idea. Good Luck with the project

Hey Chelsea, thanks for the kind words and viewing and commenting 😁 Good luck on your projects! Nelson

You're very welcome! thank you and good luck on your project, Nelson.

@@mitchnelsonperformance - Thanks! Ill need it. finally back in the van, break in next... yikes.