350 Chevy Valve Lash Adjustment

[Blackwood]

How should I approach a 350 Chevy valve lash adjustment? It started idling roughly after I tightened it. Now, I'm worried that I've done something wrong.

 

[markmc60]

warm engine, remove valve covers, use oil deflectors, loosen rocker nut till it rattles, tighten until it stops rattle, tighten 1/2 turn more slowly. book says 1 full turn, that when new, but you do what you want

 

[jim g]

the true way is, as mentioned by, markme60, is to loosen each rocker nut while running. be warned that you will sling oil EVERYWHERE causing a lot of smoke. if you have a spare valve cover laying around cut the center out of it just wide enough to get a socket thru (about 1.5 inch wide). this will reduce the amount of oil thrown around.

 

[Qapla]

Back when I did this ... I used to tighten them 3/4 turn after the rattle stopped. Regardless of how far you turn it, do not get in a hurry doing this process. You need to go slow while finding the "rattle" point and then stay slow as you finish the tightening.