Rocker Question

[caspernicus]

I just put a new cam in and after I put everything back together it ran perfect. When I took it for a test drive it ran fine for about five minutes and then I started hearing a a metallic ticking noise. So I turned around and started home then all of the sudden the noise stopped and the car started missfiring. I stopped by advanced, had it scanned and I had a #1 cylinder missfire code. I popped the vavle cover off and the rocker bolt(intake valve) had worked its way out some how. So I rotated the motor and torqued it down with the valve closed and that fixed until I drove it again. Now I have the same problem.

What would happen if I purposely over tightened the rockers?

Any tips on tightening rockers?

[2K3800CAMARO]

Re: Rocker Question

Rockers use locking nuts , they sometimes wear out and wont hold shut , just replace them

and now that you have a bigger cam they have more lift (so more pressure) which means that now they are more likely to come lose. Unfortunately the good set of roller rockers for our 3800's cost like 400-500 $ which i think is crazy

[caspernicus]

Re: Rocker Question

I replaced the rocker bolts and pushrods when i did the swap because it was highly recommended.

Where are these locking nuts youre talking about?

[2K3800CAMARO]

Re: Rocker Question

They should be the ones u rpelaced , have you checked with a torque wrench if all the bolts are still at the recommended poundage ?

[caspernicus]

Re: Rocker Question

I think I may have found the problem. I torqued the bolts to 132in lbs but i forgot to turn the bolts the additional 90 degrees.

Thanks for your quick replies.

[2K3800CAMARO]

Re: Rocker Question

yeah always be sure to double check your torque specs , if else all hell will break lose :P

[caspernicus]

Re: Rocker Question

haha no kiddin

[slow6]

Re: Rocker Question

Rockers use locking nuts , they sometimes wear out and wont hold shut , just replace them

I dont know about that. locking nuts? the bolt threads straight into the head. So I've never seen a locking nut... i dunno?


you should've used RED locktite on the bolts and bolt heads.
the pushrods should be fine, just give it a good inspection, roll them on plate glass to see if they wobble (bent). You must get new rocker arm bolts - they are "Torque to Yield" which means they can only be used once! The cheapest place that I've found for rocker arm bolts is the GM parts direct shop, not zzp!

[caspernicus]

Re: Rocker Question

I replaced the rocker bolts and they came with the red locktite on them.

I'll be putting the valve covers back on tomorrow because I had to got to work tonight so we'll see what happens.