Setting Valve Lash
Here is a method of marking the balancer;
Get a seamstress tape.
This is the type "tape measure" that a seamstress would use and they are made out of cloth.
Of course, that means that if you can't borrow one from the girlfriend, you will have to enter a fabric store! (they don't cost much!!!)
Being made out of cloth, they are a lot easier to work with than a metal tape measure.
Use the tape to measure the circumference (around the outside) of the balancer and then divide the number by four.
That gives you the 90 degree distance.
Then use masking tape to position the beginning of the tape at the top dead center point.
Feed the tape around the balancer and use more masking tape to hold it in place.
If that "90 degree distance" was 5 1/4", then you would mark on your balancer (with a felt marker) at the 5 1/4" point on the tape.
Then mark at 10 1/2" (add 5 1/4"), and again at 15 3/4" (adding another 5 1/4").
Be sure to remove the tape before starting the engine. (if you get engine oil on your girlfriends tape, it wasn't my idea!)
How's it done----Method #1;
You are now at TDC (at the end of the compression cycle) and are ready to adjust some valves.
With the cam in this position, the valves for the number 1 piston are fully closed.
Another way to say this is that the lifters for the number 1 cylinder are on the base circle.
When you adjust the valves, don't use a deep socket! By using a standard socket,
the socket shouldn't touch the pivot ball. If it does touch the ball, it is harder to get a accurate feel.
Adjust the #1 cylinders valves;
You want to hold the push-rod and notice that it's loose (or at least should be at this point).
As you adjust the rocker down, you will remove the slop. You now want to tighten it down an additional 1/4 turn.
Yes, it's that simple.
Except you have to keep in mind what you are doing.
The idea is that you are tightening everything down just until the slop is gone.
If you read instructions wrong and adjust down until you can't rotate the push-rod with your fingers,
you have compressed the internals of the lifter and bottomed out it's plunger.
If you then go that additional 1/4 turn, the valves are ALWAYS open and the engine will not start. (this is a BTDT item)!
You want to adjust both of the valves for the cylinder in question.
Rotate the engine 90 degrees;
You are going to the mark that you put on the harmonic balancer.
Adjust the #8 cylinders valves; (passengers side)
Rotate the engine 90 degrees;
Adjust the #4 cylinder valves; (passengers side)
Rotate the engine 90 degrees;
Adjust the #3 cylinder valves; (drivers side)
Rotate the engine 90 degrees;
Your timing mark should now be back on TDC! If it isn't, then you messed up somewhere and you should start over.
Adjust the #6 cylinder valves; (passengers side)
Rotate the engine 90 degrees;
Adjust the #5 cylinder valves; (drivers side)
Rotate the engine 90 degrees;
Adjust the #7 cylinder valves; (drivers side)
Rotate the engine 90 degrees;
Adjust the #2 cylinder valves; (passengers side)
Rotate the engine 90 degrees;
You had better be back at the TDC point or you made a mistake!
You are done!
Method #2;
Please read method #1 first, just in case I forget to add some tidbit of information.
This method is a little easier due to having to rotate the engine less and you don't have to make the additional marks on your balancer. The only drawback is having to pay closer attention to what valves you are doing. For that reason, I'd recommend that you print out this page and check off the valves as you go.
If it seems strange that so many valves can be adjusted at one cam position, it's due to the amount of area where a cam lobe is on its base circle. Remember, as I said above, that almost 3/4 of the cam profile is at the base circle. Keep in mind, we are talking Chevy V8s here and if you come across an engine with a different firing order, this will not be valid!
As in method #1, you should be at the TDC compression cycle of the number 1 cylinder at this time. Also as stated in method #1, you should be using standard socket (and not a deep socket).
See method #1 for how to adjust a valve!
I'm going to number the valves as starting at the front of the engine. That means that the "eighth" valve is the closest to the firewall.
Adjust the #1 exhaust valve
(small and big block--closest to radiator, on drivers side)
Adjust the #1 intake valve
(small and big block--second from the front, on drivers side)
Adjust the #3 exhaust valve
(small block--forth from the front, on the drivers side)
(big block-- third from the front, one the drivers side)
Adjust the #5 intake valve
(small and big block--sixth from the front, on the drivers side)
Adjust the #7 intake valve
(small block--seventh from the front, on the drivers side)
(big block-- last on the drivers side)
Adjust the #2 intake valve
(small block--second from the front, on the passenger side)
(big block-- first from the front, on the passenger side)
Adjust the #4 exhaust valve
(small and big block--fourth from the front, on the passenger side)
Adjust the #8 exhaust valve
(small and big block--last on the passenger side)
Now rotate the engine 360 degrees. The mark on the balancer should be back at the TDC mark. Keep in mind that this is not the TDC where #1 would be firing! It's where #6 would fire.
Adjust the #3 intake valve
(small block--third from the front, on the drivers side)
(big block-- forth from the front, on the drivers side)
Adjust the #5 exhaust valve
(small and big block--fifth from the front, on the drivers side)
Adjust the #7 exhaust valve
(small block--last on the drivers side)
(big block-- seventh from the front, on the drivers side)
Adjust the #2 exhaust valve
(small block--closest to the radiator, on the passengers side)
(big block--second from the front, on the passengers side)
Adjust the #4 intake valve
(small and big block--third from the front, on the passengers side)
Adjust the #6 exhaust valve
(small block--fifth from the front, on the passengers side)
(big block-- sixth from the front, on the passengers side)
Adjust the #6 intake valve
(small block--sixth from the front, on the passengers side)
(big block--fifth from the front, on the passengers side)
Adjust the #8 intake valve
(small and big block--seventh from the front, on the passengers side)
You are now done.