1983 silverado, I'm looking for a valve seal how-to/write up

[jennkent5454]

I have heard this is a pretty simple task. Is there a write up about it? I want to see how it all looks and the tools I should use to determine if I feel comfortable with it.
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[jennkent5454]

bump---

[king-918]

Valve seal Replacement - YouTube

[jennkent5454]

King-918 thank you for the video, the truck in the video is a 2005, is it the same for the 1980 models?

[jennkent5454]

When putting the rocker arms back on what are they torqued to?
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[hatzie]

Originally Posted by jennkent5454

When putting the rocker arms back on what are they torqued to?
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The nut, rocker, and ball are a mated set. Make sure you put them back on the same stud. I'd do one cylinder at a time. Put the parts in Yogurt tubs or PB jars or....

Chevy smallblock rockers aren't torqued. The rockers are used to set your valve lash.
There's a 1/2 page rocker adjustment procedure in the ST-330-73 1973 Chevy Service Manual that I scanned. You'll find it on page 6-51 titled Valve Mechanism.

[bigd65]

I prefer to put the cylinder to TDC for that cylinder and feed in a piece of SPARK PLUG WIRE, that way you don't have to worry about the valve falling down in if the air seal breaks. Might take a bit longer but it's safer
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[gchemist]

Welcome to the site Austinite!! I did the adjustment to my original 305. Use this procedure: http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/valvlash.htm

Use umbrella seals. They will reduce oil going down the valve stem seals.

[bigd65]

My 85, I bought the positive seal, they actually clamped around the part of the head that the valve goes through
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[jennkent5454]

Originally Posted by gchemist

Welcome to the site Austinite!! I did the adjustment to my original 305. Use this procedure: http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/valvlash.htm

Use umbrella seals. They will reduce oil going down the valve stem seals.

thanks guys, Im still not certian I want to tackle it, seems simple but if I "F" it up my son will kill me.

[gchemist]

Just use oil diverters on the rocker arms!! You don't want oil slushing everywhere!! I've done several with the engine running. Follow my video links. I have demo on setting the valve lash to zero my ZZ4 roller cam motor. If you don't want to do it, I know a trusted mechanic that will do it for you.

[jennkent5454]

Originally Posted by gchemist

Just use oil diverters on the rocker arms!! You don't want oil slushing everywhere!! I've done several with the engine running. Follow my video links. I have demo on setting the valve lash to zero my ZZ4 roller cam motor. If you don't want to do it, I know a trusted mechanic that will do it for you.

what will the trusted mechanic charge?

[jennkent5454]

UPDATE: bought used valve covers from the junk yard, cut the top off to adjust the lash with engine running.
replace all valve seals and put rockers back on the passenger side, then started the truck to adjust the lash with engine running, the exhaust is so loud with the valve cover top cut off that I cant hear anything but the noise of the exhaust. I have my fingers crossed that I did it all corectly. any suggestions on what I should try to do?

[jennkent5454]

I think I may know part of problem, I had a hard time getting the valve cover off, so when trying to install the valve cover with cut off top I wanted to remove the part on the manifold (see picture)for extra clearance, I couldnt figure out how to remove it without cutting it off or removing the manifold. I did remove the 2 middle bolts highlighted in the picture. I reinstalled them, I guess this could be part of the problem.

I also removed the othe part you see in the picture, It is still off the engine, so I suppose this could be my problem as well. is there an easy way to get the valve cover on and off easily? it just didnt have the clearence to lift off the engine.

[gchemist]

You removed the EGR valve. I think you can remove the cover off with a little trouble. You have really wiggle it to get around stuff and remove it. Those rocker can't be adjusted by noise or ticking. You need a feeler gauge to set the valve lash. The lifters are hydraulic.

[SSC's76]

just kinda a side note on this when you do it you can look at the threads and see how many are exposed on each stud. when you put the rocker back on just get then back to that point again and they will get you very close. as long as you go back through them after you done and running this will save you alot of time.


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[jennkent5454]

What is the procedure for adjusting the lash with the feeler guage?
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[gchemist]

Use the procedure above: http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/valvlash.htm

Another good video to see:

Valve Lash Adjustment Video - Engine Building Car...

A feeler gauge is a final check for clearance. Use the procedures above and you'll be okay.

[jennkent5454]

So can I accurately adjust them as they are right now? Or will I need to rotate the engine to adjust each rocker?

[jennkent5454]

can I adjust the lash by tightening the rocker arms until they stops jiggling, then start the truck, let it run, turn it off, retighten the rocker arms that still jiggle and repeat that process until none of the rocker arms jiggle any longer, then add the 1/2 turn to lock them down?