[Amtcoastie76]

I pulled my 400 eng about 8 months ago. cleaned it up installed new gaskets on everything. everything was removed and put back on including the heads. the only thing new i put on the valve train was new pushrods, everything else is stock. on my rockers i have one nut that is torqued to 20 ft lbs that holds the rockers on that is it.when everything was put back together she started up fine, but for some reason i'm getting a ticking sound coming from around the intake and valve area. it seems to get louder as it warms up. i don't know if it is supposed to sound like this or not it just seems like it should be more quiet. my question is would installing new pushrods need me to any type of adjusting to the valves etc? some people tell me they can't be adjusted, some say to tighten them down while the covers are off etc. i just don't want to drive knowing there might be something wrong.

[Amtcoastie76]

I pulled my 400 eng about 8 months ago. cleaned it up installed new gaskets on everything. everything was removed and put back on including the heads. the only thing new i put on the valve train was new pushrods, everything else is stock. on my rockers i have one nut that is torqued to 20 ft lbs that holds the rockers on that is it.when everything was put back together she started up fine, but for some reason i'm getting a ticking sound coming from around the intake and valve area. it seems to get louder as it warms up. i don't know if it is supposed to sound like this or not it just seems like it should be more quiet. my question is would installing new pushrods need me to any type of adjusting to the valves etc? some people tell me they can't be adjusted, some say to tighten them down while the covers are off etc. i just don't want to drive knowing there might be something wrong.

[Txbobcat]

If you didnt use new poly lock nuts that might be your problem. Install a new set at the 20 ponds and see how it does then. New pushrods wouldnt change anthing.

[Amtcoastie76]

what will poly locks do?

[bobcat]

make sure when you adjust them that the cam is on the base circle-- no lift whatsoever. Do a search and you'll find how to adjust them. Polylocks screw on top of the rocker nut and then a set screw holds it in place-basicly so the rocker nut cannot back off.

[Amtcoastie76]

What is the best way to crank the engine when its cold or to turn it so i can make these adjustments? i've tried at the fly wheel and by hand at the pulley to no avail.

[Nickv]

take out your plugs it will make it easier to turn it over. I turned my engine over by hand with the plugs out.

[A455GTO]

I made a hand held push-button remoter starter, hot wire comes from + battery post, other wire goes to starter. Just make sure car is in neutral on manual trans car. Makes adjusting valvetrain way easier! It has worked well for me, good luck

[GTOPhil]

Assuming you have the factory bottleneck studs, simply torque to 20 and forget it. Are you sure you got the right pushrods?? With a non-adjustable valvetrain it doesn't take too much variation from standard length to cause valve train problems.

[Amtcoastie76]

yes i got the right pushrods. as i said before i'm not sure if there is something wrong it just seems to be a ticking from around the heads. it could just be my imagination. i have taken the covers off and re-torqued the rocker nuts a couple of times. they did break torque the first time but have held torque since. i think i will try getting the pushrod clips so i can remove the valve covers and try re-torquing while its running if that comes out good i will assume everything is good.