How do you adjust the rockerarm on a 72 302 ford V-8?

Question

So I have a 72 302 in a 66 coupe. Head gasket went bad so I changed it.

I Took the heads to a machine shop and they mag tested and looked fine to him. He did say that there was some wierd 2 bolt and washer system to make the rocker arms adjustable. I asked if I had to have the adjusable ones (since they are not stock) and he said that the previous owner (not the best mechanic I've come to find out because of other problems I've had) might have some weird camshaft that needs adjustable rocker arms.

I asked what I should do and he sold me some nuts with set screws on the top to lock them in.
He said to adjust them just wait till they stop clicking and then go a 1/2 turn more (while running).

I think I went to tight because the engine stopped running. I read another post just now that said I might have damaged the valves. What to do what to do???

Please help me adjust my rocker arms.

Answer 1

if you have adjustable rockers then you went to far. back all the rockers off one turn and start over, the set screws are there to lock the adjusting nut into place. the adjustment procedure he gave you is correct for a hydraulic cam but i wonder if you have a mechanical cam and not a hydraulic cam. mechanical cams have to be cold when adjusted and you need to use a feeler gauge. if you have a mechanical cam then the way you adjusted the rockers will cause the vehicle not to run. the only way i know how to tell is by looking at a lifter or getting the numbers off the cam and calling the manufacture. good luck

Answer 2

In 72 if you have the original heads, there is no adjustment. The rocker arm is screwed all the way down. If the head was shave too, too much the engine has to run with the arms loose, and gradually the nut has to be tighen a little at a time until it hits rock bottom

Answer 3

You didn't damage the valves, just collapsed the lifters. Just readjust and only turn a quarter turn. Also, them type adjusters, is supposed to be done when your on your compression stroke, and both the intake and exhaust valves are closed, and your working on that particular cylinder. Also, do this when the engine isn't running. Much safer that way too.

Answer 4

you're off to a sturdy commence on the diagnostics. because you're growing spark that tells you that the distributor is popping, meaning the camshaft is popping. The distributor is pushed off of the cam. despite the indisputable fact that, it really is accessible that the cam has jumped time. it really is accessible that because the water in the block iced up to some extent of popping a freeze plug think ofyou've got finished some harm. despite the indisputable fact that, that does no longer save it from beginning, it purely does no longer run top. once you've a timing mild, you are able to examine the timing, no matter if it really is off through better than 10% likelihood is you've jumped a teeth on your timing chain.

Answer 5

stock rockers are not adjustable. get the right cam,lifters and rocker arms.

Answer 6

tighten until a motor change then back off about a 1/4 turn

Answer 7

you need new heads