hydraulic valve adjustment procedure
#1
Hi, I was wondering if anyone ever adjusted their rockers this way. I did one engine and start up was quiet and ran nice. I need to do the other.. I found this way super easy. No worries on where the cam lobe is, what cylinder your working on or firing order your at. Comp cams says do the way when the exhaust valve begins to move adjust the intake. Then when the intake is fully open and begins to close adjust the exhaust. You know that way your going to be off. I have done it that way for many years and I always had a noisy valve train. A little tougher in the boat especially pulling the plugs but I think it's worth it.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Last edited by 35fountain; 02-18-2026 at 04:49 PM.
#3
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 411
From: BC
Firing order SBC/BBC
1843
7572
When cyl 7 rocks int/exh smae time...adjust cyl 1. Both lifters will be on the base circle. Take up the slack in the pushrod...add your pre-load turn...whatever it might be for your specs/needs.
Carry on with rocking on 5...adjust 8. Etc.
Pull the plugs out to help bar over
1843
7572
When cyl 7 rocks int/exh smae time...adjust cyl 1. Both lifters will be on the base circle. Take up the slack in the pushrod...add your pre-load turn...whatever it might be for your specs/needs.
Carry on with rocking on 5...adjust 8. Etc.
Pull the plugs out to help bar over
#4
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 14,068
Likes: 3,668
From: On A Dirt Floor
Never seen that way.
I’m old, not gonna’ change my way that i’ve used with no issues since the dinosaurs roamed the earth.
cyl by cyl.
int valve just closes - adj that cyl’s exhaust
exh valve just opens - adj that cyl’s intake.
kinda long version of adj valves but you can do it pretty quick
I’m old, not gonna’ change my way that i’ve used with no issues since the dinosaurs roamed the earth.

cyl by cyl.
int valve just closes - adj that cyl’s exhaust
exh valve just opens - adj that cyl’s intake.
kinda long version of adj valves but you can do it pretty quick
#5
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 1,172
From: Murrayville Georgia
interesting engine you have there Tartilla, never seen one with two #7's. but yes we know what you meant.
I have always done it like SB, spin the pushrod to find zero then adjust each one. may take a little longer but I know where I am on each and as said, I have done it forever so not changing now.
I have always done it like SB, spin the pushrod to find zero then adjust each one. may take a little longer but I know where I am on each and as said, I have done it forever so not changing now.
#6
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 411
From: BC
interesting engine you have there Tartilla, never seen one with two #7's. but yes we know what you meant.
I have always done it like SB, spin the pushrod to find zero then adjust each one. may take a little longer but I know where I am on each and as said, I have done it forever so not changing now.
I have always done it like SB, spin the pushrod to find zero then adjust each one. may take a little longer but I know where I am on each and as said, I have done it forever so not changing now.
This method works for solid lifters as well...where you need to set a lash on the base circle.
Last edited by Tartilla; 02-18-2026 at 10:24 PM.
#7
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 682
Likes: 176
From: Finland
Hi, I was wondering if anyone ever adjusted their rockers this way. I did one engine and start up was quiet and ran nice. I need to do the other.. I found this way super easy. No worries on where the cam lobe is, what cylinder your working on or firing order your at. Comp cams says do the way when the exhaust valve begins to move adjust the intake. Then when the intake is fully open and begins to close adjust the exhaust. You know that way your going to be off. I have done it that way for many years and I always had a noisy valve train. A little tougher in the boat especially pulling the plugs but I think it's worth it.
https://youtu.be/CDQ_JhMlDz4?si=moxiGk2QNmC_Yzrv
Thanks in advance
https://youtu.be/CDQ_JhMlDz4?si=moxiGk2QNmC_Yzrv
Thanks in advance
#9
So the thread triggered my memory and i had to go looking through my "shop notes" i scribble down on loose papers and store in a pile of random stuff on my tool box 
Anyway i found this note i made a long time back that sounds the easiest....... but have yet to actually try this:
The easiest way to adjust rockers is to set #1 cyl to TDC (both intake and exh valves will be closed)
then you set the intakes valves on 1257 and the exh valves on 1348
then rotate 360* and cyl #6 should be on TDC (both valves closed)
and you set intake on 3468 and exh on 2567
and your done.

Anyway i found this note i made a long time back that sounds the easiest....... but have yet to actually try this:
The easiest way to adjust rockers is to set #1 cyl to TDC (both intake and exh valves will be closed)
then you set the intakes valves on 1257 and the exh valves on 1348
then rotate 360* and cyl #6 should be on TDC (both valves closed)
and you set intake on 3468 and exh on 2567
and your done.
__________________
-Wally
Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy horsepower. And I've never seen a sad person hauling a$$!
-Wally
Money can't buy happiness, but it can buy horsepower. And I've never seen a sad person hauling a$$!
Last edited by Wally; 03-04-2026 at 09:45 AM. Reason: spelling
#10
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Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 2,089
From: SW Ohio
So the thread triggered my memory and i had to go looking through my "shop notes" i scribble down in loose papers and store in a pile or random stuff on my tool box 
Anyway i found this note i made a long time back that sounds the easiest....... but have yet to actually try this:
The easiest way to adjust rockers is to set #1 cyl to TDC (both intake and exh valves will be closed)
then you set the intakes valves on 1257 and the exh valves on 1348
then rotate 360* and cyl #6 should be on TDC (both valves closed)
and you set intake on 3468 and exh on 2567
and your done.

Anyway i found this note i made a long time back that sounds the easiest....... but have yet to actually try this:
The easiest way to adjust rockers is to set #1 cyl to TDC (both intake and exh valves will be closed)
then you set the intakes valves on 1257 and the exh valves on 1348
then rotate 360* and cyl #6 should be on TDC (both valves closed)
and you set intake on 3468 and exh on 2567
and your done.
.... Assuming no firing order swaps. Otherwise, alter cylinder order accordingly.
Honestly, I never know this was even a thing until my 496 rebuild.
Thanks. Brad.




