How do you properly adjust lifters or rocker arms on Chevy 283?

Answer 1

Assumming you don't have a roller or solid lifter cam ( those get adjusted with a feeler gauge ) , the best way I've found is the following:

1) warm the motor to normal temp.

2) remove one of the valve covers and install splash clips ( JEGS sells them ) on each rocker OR take an old steel valve cover, cut the center out so you can get a socket oneach of the rocker nuts, and install that in place of your pretty ones.

3) start the engine and let it idle

4) SLOWLY loosen the first rocker arm nut until you hear that lifter tap. Then SLOWLY retighten the nut until the tapping stops.

5) If you want more topend power, tighter the nut another 1/4 to 1/2 turn. If you want more bottom end power, tighten the nut a full turn past where it stopped tapping.

6)repeat this for each lifter on the first side

7) remove the spash clips or modified valve cover and install your shinny one

8) repeat on the other side

9)if they seem to go out of adjustment quickly invest in 16 new rocker arm nut from the dealer and do the same procedure again

10)BIG THING is adjust slowly and keep things clean

11) good luck !!!