rocker arm loose and crankshaft tightness

[Dr Vic]

Hi Guys,

I have a couple of questions.

1. I just installed a rebuilt long block in my car. Im just about ready to start the car but since I didn't rebuild the engine myself, I decided to look at the valve train and recheck the timing. I believe I have a few loose rocker arms. I tried twisting each rocker arm and some of them make this clicking sound upon twisting and some of them don't. Those that I think are loose just twist a little. There's only about a quart of oil in the car from priming the oil pump. Ive read this post and I,m wondering what others thought of this.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...d-rocker-arms-loose-something-w-pictures.html

2. when I turn the crank using a breaker bar it just feels tight. At some points it feels even tighter. However it doesn't come to a point where I cant turn the crank. The timing marks are all lined up so Im hoping this doesn't mean that the valves will come into contact with the pistons. what do you guys make of this?

3. where does this connector go? Ive attached a pic.

4. Is it a good idea to start the car with the timing covers off? I just thought it would be better since I would be able to see everything plus check the timing before and after starting.

 

[Mitsu RacerX]

If I'm right the plug goes too the oil light. It plugs in right by the oil housing..It will be tight when ya turn it when you get to the top of each piston..

 

[fedj18]

That connector goes to an oil pressure switch that should be mounted on the front cover/oil filter housing. it will be about a 1.5-2" piece with a metal nub on the bottom side that the connector will slide over. It sound like the motor is ok, the occasional tough spot should be the point when there is a piston on the compression stroke. This should happen every 180 degrees of crankshaft turning. As for starting it without the timing covers on...it shouldn't really cause any issues but if you don't have the crank pulley on I wouldn't do it. Also if the accessory drive belts are not on then don't run it for long because the water pump will not be turning so it will likely overheat.

 

[Dr Vic]

yeah the belts are all installed. with regards to the rocker arms. do you think they will be a problem in the furture?

 

[fedj18]

not sure about the roker arms. it could be a few things like that other post states. without a picture showing wear etc. it would be hard to do a diagnosis. Since the timing and everything is on and it sounds like you have pressure when turning over the motor, I don't think you would have any bent valves. it may just be that you will need to get the motor started up to get the lifters pumped up and take out the slack.

 

[4pistons]

Turn the engine over by hand without the spark plugs in it so you can more easily feel for any resistance or interference. You can definitely feel the valves hitting the pistons then.

When you say 'loose rockers' do you mean there's distance between the roller tip and valve stem? Or is that you can move some by hand and others not? Even at TDC some cylinders will have valves that'll be opening and closing so there will be pressure on them from the springs. Others may have the lifter on the cam base circle and have no pressure on them.

There's no reason to start the engine without the valve cover. There really is nothing to watch for and certainly nothing to adjust in there. It'll just get messy whith the oil slinging around.

Rick - '91 GSX

 

[Acebankai]

Your rocker arms are probably just too tight so just adjust the valves and there you go no more worries if it'll hit the pistons

 

[4pistons]

WHOA!!!!!!

First off, there is no way to adjust the valves on a 4G63 as the lifters are the nonadjustable hydraulic type.

Second, even if you COULD adjust them that wouldn't cause or prevent the valves from hitting the pistons. Cam timing influences that.

This is a HELP forum. Don't post guesses and comments unless you know what you're talking about.

Rick - '91 GSX