Valve adjustment on Roller Rockers.

[SBC Maro]

Hey there,

I am putting the finishing touches on my engine currently, and was setting my valves and ran into a little confusion.

I normally adjust valves the way Dave Vizard says (Rebuilding Your Small Block Chevy, awesome book) and it's worked out great for me on my last 3 adjustments on various engines with stamped, one-piece rocker arms. I believe he says to tighten the rocker arm bolt down until verticle play is eliminated in the pushrod, but you can still rotate it, then 90* tighter.

I followed the same procedure on my new engine (350 with Hydraulic flat-tappet lifters, comp pushrods, and Comp roller-tip rocker arms on Dart Iron Eagles) and altough the rocker arms feel good in respect to verticle adjustment, I get some horizontal.. 'wiggle' on them when fully adjusted, meaning they seem to pivot side to side slightly (4 or 5 degrees) when the valve is closed. when the valve is open, however, this play is eliminated, if not extremely deminished.

Is this normal?

Thanks,
-Rob

[SBC Maro]

I do infact have guideplates installed on the heads, of the Comp Cams persuation. The pushrod stays put, but it seems like the rocker arm has a bit of play on it's bearing there.

[SBC Maro]

I see

I'll take another look in, make sure that lack of attention to detail isn't playing a part in there, and see how she does.

Thanks