TDC Questions along w general ones

[ThaDyce17]

Okay im about to go ahead and redo my LIM this weekend, these are all the questions I have and after this I wont need anymore help Just need to clear up some things. Okay ! when I'm puttin the gasket maker in the valleys of the LIM do you guys recommend I use the Red High Temp or the Black? Do I only put a small bead on there or can I put a lot?... Or does it even matter? When I set my valve lash when I turn the crank and the Cylinder is on its compression stroke ( When both valves are in the down position ) Is that automatically the same thing as TDC? It says tighten to 0 lash then do another 1/2 to full turn.... Once I put the cylinder in TDC can I just go ahead and tighen the rocker nuts to 31/2 to 4 threads like Funkz said previously... Anything will do to help thanks guys!

[ssms5411]

Re: TDC Questions along w general ones

I see you have a 3.4 , I have no clue. On 3.8's don't have to worry about TDC when doing LIM. But I would use GM sealant that is gray on the LIM and use a good size bead so when its pressed back on it gets the corners really well. Also after tighting it down let it set over night to dry, I found that to work very well when I did a 00' 3.4 Grand AM LIM. The GM gray sealant can be found at any GM parts dept. or on ZZP's website , you can get a idea of how it looks. The other stuff someone with 3.4 Camaro can answer but on the 00' Grand am I used new rocker bolts and tihtened them down in a certain order I think it was. Can't remember too much anymore. Good luck Reason I let it set overnight is to let the sealant I used on the corners dry so none gets drop down too far, becuase when it dries its not going any where.

[ThaDyce17]

Re: TDC Questions along w general ones

Well what about the TDC question?

[cam98aro]

Re: TDC Questions along w general ones

Well what about the TDC question?

you dont need to be at TDC, just make sure you are at the base circle of the cam.. meaning the valve is fully closed.

and when you set 0-lash, you dont just tighten the rockers down, you need to keep tightening them while spinning the pushrod, once you get a bit of resistance on the pushrod, this is 0-lash.

once you get 0-lash you set the pre-load by tightening it down 3/4 - 1-1/2 turns

when you feel resistance on the pushrod, take the socket off of the rocker nut and re-check it, sometimes the socket can push down on the rocker arm and make you think the lash is set correctly, but it is not

[ThaDyce17]

Re: TDC Questions along w general ones

So when everything is set correctly will it make the pushrods impossible to move?

[cam98aro]

Re: TDC Questions along w general ones

So when everything is set correctly will it make the pushrods impossible to move?

correct, but they should still have a bit of resistance on them before you set he pre-load.

when you are trying to get 0-lash, they will basically move freely, then they will all of a sudden tighten up, back off of them a bit and go really slow till you feel the resistance on the pushrod

[ThaDyce17]

Re: TDC Questions along w general ones

The only reason im asking this is because I have to put black gasket maker in the valleys and they told me i'd have to change the LIM gaskets eventhough I changed then about 5 months ago. Now when im tightening them I turn the crank until both the exaust and Intake valve are in the down position... correct?

[cam98aro]

Re: TDC Questions along w general ones

The only reason im asking this is because I have to put black gasket maker in the valleys and they told me i'd have to change the LIM gaskets eventhough I changed then about 5 months ago. Now when im tightening them I turn the crank until both the exaust and Intake valve are in the down position... correct?

yup, you have to make sure they are fully down. if they arent, it will be too loose, and when you start the engine you will hear the infamous "valve tap"

[ThaDyce17]

Re: TDC Questions along w general ones

Oh yeah and as far as the sealant I use..... I used the blue gasketmaker originally and its leaking out the back of the LIM. Is blue not made to hold up back there or did I just put it in wrong? I thought I got it in there really good and I put a lot in, but its leaking.. Maybe blue isnt made to be back there

[cam98aro]

Re: TDC Questions along w general ones

im not sure, i have always used the blue stuff without problems.

[ssms5411]

Re: TDC Questions along w general ones

As I posted earlier GM has some gray gasket sealer that is made for the valleys and once tightened down let it sit overnight. The end.

[flamingchicken]

Re: TDC Questions along w general ones

I used black and have never had peoblems