T&D\'s install made easy
The first time I installed the T&D's they went in, however, I had a little problem getting them right. I just installed my second set and gave this install some thought. It really is easy if you understand some basic concepts.
The geometry must be set first. This is the alignment of the roller on the center of the valve. They give you two different spacer sets. Start without any spacers and install one rocker. Before installing the rocker take a black magic marker and paint the top of the valve stem. Back out the adjuster all the way till it won't go any further. Find TDC on that cylinder and install an adjustable push rod ($12 @ Summit), adjust the push rod till you get zero lash between the roller and valve. Turn the engine over with an external switch attached to the starter. Take off the rocker and check the pattern that the roller made on the valve tip. It should be close to the center of the valve.
If the pattern is high (towards top of engine), install the thinner spacer and see if the pattern is centered (moved down), if not, proceed to the thicker spacer. With the stock heads I had to use the smaller spacer. After I milled the heads I ended up with no spacer.
The next step is to size the new push rods. Even if the existing push rods are the correct length, replace them, they are a three piece design. The new push rods should be a one piece 5/16" chrome moly design. You will need a large micrometer/calliper to measure the the length of the adjustable push rod. You should already have obtained a zero lash at TDC (by lengthening the adjustable push rod) with the rocker adjuster all the way up. The correct push length is simply the measured length minus .050. If your adjustable push rod was .770, the actual rod would be .765. The reason is that the rocker adjuster moves .050 for one full turn and the ideal position for the adjuster is one full turn down from full up.
The next step is to install all the rockers. Start with the rocker adjuster full up, fasten the stand down. Find TDC and crank the adjuster down 1-1/2 turns. In other words, you are setting them with a 1/2 turn past zero lash. If they make any noise at all take them down a max of another half turn. You should be good to go if your measurements were correct. Spend some extra time on the measuring procedure and double check the measurement. If it is correct everything else comes out correct.
What you have to be careful of is the adjusters will have lubication problems as you approach three turns down. You may also want to verify geometry on both sides of the engine. The only reason for a loud lifter would be a dimensional non-uniformity within the valve train or head.
The first time I installed the T&D's they went in, however, I had a little problem getting them right. I just installed my second set and gave this install some thought. It really is easy if you understand some basic concepts.
The geometry must be set first. This is the alignment of the roller on the center of the valve. They give you two different spacer sets. Start without any spacers and install one rocker. Before installing the rocker take a black magic marker and paint the top of the valve stem. Back out the adjuster all the way till it won't go any further. Find TDC on that cylinder and install an adjustable push rod ($12 @ Summit), adjust the push rod till you get zero lash between the roller and valve. Turn the engine over with an external switch attached to the starter. Take off the rocker and check the pattern that the roller made on the valve tip. It should be close to the center of the valve.
If the pattern is high (towards top of engine), install the thinner spacer and see if the pattern is centered (moved down), if not, proceed to the thicker spacer. With the stock heads I had to use the smaller spacer. After I milled the heads I ended up with no spacer.
The next step is to size the new push rods. Even if the existing push rods are the correct length, replace them, they are a three piece design. The new push rods should be a one piece 5/16" chrome moly design. You will need a large micrometer/calliper to measure the the length of the adjustable push rod. You should already have obtained a zero lash at TDC (by lengthening the adjustable push rod) with the rocker adjuster all the way up. The correct push length is simply the measured length minus .050. If your adjustable push rod was .770, the actual rod would be .765. The reason is that the rocker adjuster moves .050 for one full turn and the ideal position for the adjuster is one full turn down from full up.
The next step is to install all the rockers. Start with the rocker adjuster full up, fasten the stand down. Find TDC and crank the adjuster down 1-1/2 turns. In other words, you are setting them with a 1/2 turn past zero lash. If they make any noise at all take them down a max of another half turn. You should be good to go if your measurements were correct. Spend some extra time on the measuring procedure and double check the measurement. If it is correct everything else comes out correct.
What you have to be careful of is the adjusters will have lubication problems as you approach three turns down. You may also want to verify geometry on both sides of the engine. The only reason for a loud lifter would be a dimensional non-uniformity within the valve train or head.
