I'm stuck and need some advice/help.

I'm replacing my upper and lower rocker covers as the chrome is flaking off.

I unloaded the pushrods and put the piston at TDC. Disassembly was uneventful. Upon reassembly, the rocker support plate doesn't sit flush on the lower rocker cover. There's an 1/16-1/18 inch gap. If I tighten any more, the pushrods won't spin freely. I'm afraid I might bend the push rods.

Any advice? Did I miss a step?

Appreciate the help.

 

The lifters have an internal piston that is spring loaded. When you remove the pushrods the piston moves up filling the lifter with oil. This is why you now have the "gap" and the lifters will need to bleed down before the engine can be turned over.

Check to see what cylinder the cam is on the base circle(44:20mins into the video below) of the cam, most likely the rear. Install the rocker plate on that cyl and then wait until the pushrods turn freely. At this point the lifters have bleed down and you can rotate the crank so the cam is on the base circle of the other cylinder then you can install the other rocker plate. Wait until the pushrods turn freely and finish your box install.

If you turn the crank before the pushrods turn freely you run the risk of the valves making contact with the pistons.



Hope this helps

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Thanks HR9mm. We'll give it a try.

 

HotRod9mm,

Thanks for your advice. It worked like a charm. By the time I bolted down the breather, the lifters bled and the push rods turn freely in my fingers.