Valve Adjustment Help
 

I was wondering if anyone has an easy way to explain how to adjust my valves on 81 350.. Ive seen some stuff but its very confusing. Or if someone has a link that would be sweet too. Tahnks

The easiest and fastest way is to take the valve covers off and adjust them while it's running (Mr. Gasket sells clips that you put on your rocker arms so that oil doesn't spray when you have it running with the valve covers removed). Start the truck (with the clips installed) and back each rocker nut off until it starts to tap (one at a time), then tighten it down to the point where it just quiets and then tighten it another 1/4-1/2 a turn. This isn't the most accurate way, but definitely the easiest and quickest.
The proper way is to bring each cylinder to top dead center and with a ratchet in one hand tighten the rocker arm while you spin the push rod (in between 2 fingers) with the other hand. When you feel drag on the push rod (in othe words when it gets hard to spin the push rod with your 2 fingers) tighten it another 1/4-1/2 a turn to seat the push rod in the lifter. Most people don't want to try and figure out how to bring each cylinder to TDC, but it is not a dificult task and is definitely more precise.
If you invest in a manual you can actually just bring #1 up to TDC and the manual will tell you which exhaust and which intake valves can be adjusted then you just spin the motor over 360 degrees and adjust the rest of them. This way you are only bringing #1 to TDC and not each cylinder. This is the way I have done it for years, but I don't have which valves can be adjusted memorized. I do have a manual if you want to do it this way. I can give you the sequence.
Hope this helps good luck!

Thanks Man
 

Yeah thats what were going to do. I have the auto start on but i can turn it by hand with a little brute force. The Pushrods will still have a little play when adjusted all the way though correct? [ i should be able to spin them?

Pull all your spark plugs out and it will turn over really easy. It should be difficult to spin the push rods when adjusted properly.

sweet
 

Yeah i read that you bring it to top dead center #1 then you adjust the #6 and so on. Thanks for your help bud, I shouild have it running tomorrow. What turned into a day job turned into a weak and 200 or more dollars over, Brutal,,