Quote Originally Posted by 34_40 View Post
Sounds like you made up your mind but, you can borrow my adjustable push rods and tester springs...

Why are you after more pre-load? What am I missing? Did you not just set pre-load to spec?
I'm at the 'bitter end' of the minimum of ~.020 (spec is .020-.060). Preload on these pedestal rockers is set by guess and by golly - you bolt the rockers in place, make sure the assembly being adjusted is on the cam base circle, then torque to 18-20 lb ft. If it takes a quarter to half turn after first contact to reach that torque figure, it's supposed to be 'in spec'. Now, this is conjecture - if the oil pressure dips a few psig, the lifters seem to lose their capability to stay pumped up. When that happens, clatter and the engine idle capability dies as well. With a cold engine, carb on high idle (1000 rpm or more, not a whisper of clatter. At 190(operating temp), 800 rpm idle, some clatter, drop it into gear, haul the engine down another 100 rpm or so ---- you get the picture. Now, pull the engine apart. replace the Fel-Pro 10112 .039 compressed thickness head gaskets with the 'recommended' Fel-Pro 9333Pt1, .047 compressed thickness - it will, I'm sure, get worse.

What I'm trying to do is get some adjustability in my valve system - and pedestal mounts aren't what I need