rocker arm adjusment for 4.3

U

utexasrick

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 25, 2011
Messages
46
So I have a rebuilt 4.3 engine with balanced shaft. In the process of checking the rocker arms. The manual says to torque down the rocker arms to 20 ft lbs (valve lash is automatically set), but I've also read on here to use the 3/4 turn method. I tried the 3/4 quarter turn method and I am highly doubtful that the rocker arm bolt will stay put when the engine is running. I could prob get a max of 5 ft-lbs on one. Which is the correct method? 20 ft-lbs seems like a good amount though as it might compress the rocker bearing.
 
D

dan t.

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 28, 2008
Messages
1,131
Re: rocker arm adjusment for 4.3

Set it running, back the nut off till it rattles, turn it down quiet, then slowly 3/4 turn further. Which manual is telling you 20 lb? Never heard of that before.
 
86 century

86 century

Ensign
Joined
Sep 8, 2009
Messages
986
Re: rocker arm adjusment for 4.3

I have never heard of a 4.3 with torque down rockers.

If you can post a pic of your rocker nuts.
 
Don S

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: rocker arm adjusment for 4.3

You need to be careful of what you read, and make sure you are comparing apples to apples. All of the 4.3 engines with a balance shaft use the 20 ft.lb. torque, only the earlier models WITHOUT the balance shaft had adjustable valves.
 
ZachDean

ZachDean

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Joined
Jan 26, 2012
Messages
41
Re: rocker arm adjusment for 4.3

If your has a balance shaft just tighten them to 20 ft-lbs. All the vortec era heads use shoulder bolts that adjust themselves once tightened.
 
U

utexasrick

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 25, 2011
Messages
46
Re: rocker arm adjusment for 4.3

Good to know, thanks, I knew there was no way those bolts would stay put
 
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