VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Adjusting lifters while running ?

Can Chevy 216 motor solid lifters be adjusted while the motor is running, or must the engine be OFF and at operating temp?
I have seen some old ZIM tools and wondered how they were used.

The proper way according to Chevrolet is with the engine running. Every Chevrolet or good mechanic I ever saw did it with the engine running and that is the way I always adjusted the valves. Also the only 100% accurate method.

I agree and I adjust my lifters with the car running at idle as well.

I have always done it with the engine running.

Turn the idle down to slow RPM. That will help keep the screwdriver in the slot and the wrench on the nut. The tool made for this operation is a big help.

If your engine is in really nice painted condition do it static. Or not at all. Just get some help and push the trailer queen into its spot on the show grounds. I can never do this operation without getting oil all over something the valve cover can't hide.

If you're a-going to push it around then don't put any oil in the crankcase. Any amount in there will crawl its way out somehow even if the engine is not turned.

All one has to do to get even one drop of oil going AWOL is to look at the starter pedal and just think about starting the engine. The drop of oil will sense your plan and say, "I'm outta here." Will too!

Good luck,
Charlie

I am totally unable to adjust the valves on a running engine. I always try and always fail So what I do is get the engine to operating temp, and use the feeler gage to find out of adjustment rockers. I then shut her down, adjust those I found to be faulty and the warm it up again. I then run a check on all valves and make adjustments where necessary. Takes some time but it has worked well for me.

The solution for all of you guys is to adjust the valves by vacuum gauge. Just set each one to the max. vacuum and then double check with feeler if you have any queezy feeling.

Glyn, what type of wrench are you using to back off the nut? If it is an open-end, that'll drive you crazy. Try it with a box socket - makes life go much easier. It is duck soup if you have a helper with you, so that you can use one hand to loosen the lock nut; the other to handle the screwdriver, and the helper to slip the feeler gauge into place when you say "Now!!"

I use an off set box wrench and a nice wide blade stubby screwdriver.

I use a special valve adjusting tool from Snap-On and it works great! It has the nut socket and the slotted screwdriver all in one tool. With this tool you can loosen the nut and turn the adjusting screw at the same time.

I have two of those tools (so I have a better chance of finding one when I need it) and they do work well. Just watch the vacuum gauge, loosen the jam nut and adjust to max. then tighten the nut and that valve is done.

It would be helpful if you would provide the Snap On tool number.

I have two of the tools. Would sell one for $40.00 if interested.

Thanks for the advice guys !
So they can be adjusted running near idle, and by use of a vacuum gauge.

If they are adjusted running, I assume they also could need long feeler gages to check gap. {If I use the feeler gauges , should I expect them to get pretty pounded and beat up?}

I have borrowed the old ZIM Chevy rocker tool (2 sizes for lock nuts on one tool, with screwdriver blade on twist handle)

Most of us have a separate, bent up set of feelers just for setting the valves while running.

Yep, it is hard on feeler gauges! lol

If you find little 'c' shaped places in your feeler gauge, the rocker arms may be badly pitted from worn places on the rocker arms. This will require the rockers to be removed and re-arced. I would suggest you take them to a machine shop rather than trying to grind them yourself.