got a quick question. i have a small block chev in my boat that i decided to do a little tweeking on this last week. it started out as a GM 220 horse 4 bolt goodwrench crate motor ( it was in the boat when i got it) an it was set up with all the volvo 255 stuff. anyway i tore the motor down to the long block ( left heads on as it dosent have many of hours on it) and added merc center riser exhaust and transom outlets, thunderbolt IV ignition, edlbrock performer intake and carb, 1.50 roller rockers and a comp cams highenergy cam and lifters (not to radical). my question is with setting the pre load on the hydraulic lifters. i followed the directions and with the valve in the closed position i tightend the rocker till the push rod just started to tighten when turned in the finger tips than i added a half a turn. doing it like this leaves all the valves open just slightly, is that correct or did i do somthing wrong.

i did this stuff looking for a few extra ponies as i said it had all the stock volvo stuff on it , oh an it also had the stock 220 HP GM cam in it so it was quite the slug. does this sound like a resonable setup with a stock bottom end. i dont run it hard and im not looking for any BIG power, i just buz around the river with it. thanks all

Although I don't really like the method you described, you did it right. Although your thinking is wrong. Setting that 1/2 turn extra preload on the rockers does not hold the valves open, it just forces the push rod into the hydrolic lifter a little to quiet things down and keep the lifter on the cam.

Like Checkmate said the valves should not be open.When I do mine it's exhaust just open do intake when intake just closes do exhaust

floridason , thats exactly how i did it. but for some reason it is forcing the valve open and not compresing the lifter . i thought maybe the new lifters were too much for the stock springs so i tried one of the stock lifters and it still sure looks to me like it is pushing the valve open and not compressing the lifter.

Glassdave;

I have to ask a stupid question. Are you sure that the lifters are hydrolic and not solid? Unless you are using springs from a pen for valve springs, the springs will be have more pressure than what it takes to push down on the lifter.

How bout another stupid question hope you did not pump up the lifters first oil can or prime with pump?

glassdave:
Are the lifters CompCam brand? Doug

checkmate - they are definetly hydraulic. they came with the cam. and you can see the little retainer clip thingy in the top of it.

floridason- i was told to just soak them in oil for a few min (maybe an hour) before putting them in, so thats all i did.

ok , now its my turn with the stupid question . . i am using a full roller rocker ( pivot and tip are roller, not just the tip) do you think that by taking that much resistance out of the system is causing this problem

dixie doug- yes they are the comp cams lifters that came with the kit

Your lifter are not pumped up. When I do a motor, I'll put the lifters in a clean can with a lid on full of oil and let them soak while I'm doing the assembly, usually a couple days. Then install. I feel that you have compressed the plunger in the lifter because the lifters are not pumped or primed. If this is the case, loosen all rockers and watch as you tighten them. you might be able to tell when you get zero lash, then 1/4 turn. Fire it up and make sure the push rods are turning then adjust again. good luck.
mike