Re: how bad are the stock rockers?

From: Bernd D. Ratsch (bernd@texas.net)
Date: Sun Dec 09 2001 - 10:21:07 EST


Here's how I did it on a '01 R/T (Mopar 1.6:1 kit)

(1) Remove all spark plugs to make it easy on you
(2) Crank the engine by hand and put the intake valve up on the cam lobe
(exhaust will be on the bottom of the cam)
(3) Finger tighten the rocker nut until the rocker is hand tight (not
too tight though)
(4) Turn the nut 1/2 turn more (with a wrench) and lock it down
(5) Repeat #2-4 for the exhaust side.

I normally run down one side of the engine with this procedure and then
do the other side.

Then, spin the engine until oil comes out of the pushrods (and onto the
rocker arm) to "pump up the lifters"...repeat the process one more time
on all cylinders.

You may have to readjust the rockers (if they're new) at around the 300
mile mark (normal). Run the same procedure and you shouldn't have to
worry about them again.

I've done this on several engines already (and past engines) and they
all hold their setting. If they constantly go out of
adjustment...something else is wrong in the valvetrain.

- Bernd

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@BUFFNET.NET
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@BUFFNET.NET] On Behalf Of Mark Kuzia
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2001 9:03 AM
To: dakota-truck@BUFFNET.NET
Subject: DML: Re: RE: Re: how bad are the stock rockers?

I have tried every way, cold, hot, while running, etc.........

Mark Kuzia
flyboy01@mediaone.net http://people.mw.mediaone.net/flyboy01/home.html
1995 Dakota 13.79 @ 102.45 mph "Fastdak"
~360ci, 5-spd, 8 3/4 rear / 3.90-SG
1994 Dakota 15.36 @ 91.56 mph
~318ci, 5-spd, 3.90 LS (bone stock, no mods)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bernd D. Ratsch" <bernd@texas.net>
To: <dakota-truck@BUFFNET.NET>
Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2001 10:01 AM
Subject: DML: RE: Re: how bad are the stock rockers?

>
> Mark,
>
> The Mopars are Crane. How did you adjust them?
>
> - Bernd
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@BUFFNET.NET
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@BUFFNET.NET] On Behalf Of Mark Kuzia
> Sent: Sunday, December 09, 2001 8:45 AM
> To: dakota-truck@BUFFNET.NET
> Subject: DML: Re: how bad are the stock rockers?
>
>
> Not that bad, they do cost horsepower. But my Mopar rockers are crap!
> I have re-adjusted them 4 times already, Idid them last Wednesday, AND

> THEY NEED TO BE DONE AGAIN! ARRGH!!!!
>
> I think I'm gonna switch to Hughes rockers next. Did I mention that
> the studs came unscrewed on two cylinders also. They suck, is my
> opinion! My truck spends more time with the valve covers off than on.
> I have adjusted them in several different ways and they always start
> ticking after a few days. I have even had one of the adjusting nuts
> come off once while driving down the road,
>
> Mark Kuzia
> flyboy01@mediaone.net http://people.mw.mediaone.net/flyboy01/home.html
> 1995 Dakota 13.79 @ 102.45 mph "Fastdak"
> ~360ci, 5-spd, 8 3/4 rear / 3.90-SG
> 1994 Dakota 15.36 @ 91.56 mph
> ~318ci, 5-spd, 3.90 LS (bone stock, no mods)
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Doug Myers" <dougmyers@starpower.net>
> To: <dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net>
> Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2001 9:07 PM
> Subject: DML: how bad are the stock rockers?
>
>
> > Hey guys,
> >
> > I'm pretty sure that my roller rockers need to be re-adjusted.
> > I'm
>
> > getting a loud ticking sound, and I've never re-adjusted them since
> > I
> built
> > the engine. I've got about 8,000 miles on the rebuild right now. Is
> > it
>
> > normal to have to re-adjust aluminum rockers periodically? If so,
> > then
> thats
> > leads to my next question.....
> >
> > How bad are the stock rockers? I've been thinking about this
> > since
>
> > I realized that my rockers need to be re-adjusted. Also, since my
> > rollers
> are
> > aluminum, they may need periodic adjustment. I don't want to be
> re-adjusting
> > them every other oil change, and I don't think the stock rockers
> > would
> cost
> > me any more than 5-10hp. I did some research and found out the the
> 380hp/360
> > Mopar crate engine uses the same stock rockers and pushrods that our
> engines
> > leave the factory with, and it has a more radical cam (288/292
> > duration, .501/.513 lift) than my Comp Cams cam (260/264 duration,
> > .512/.512 lift), therefore a higher powerband. The valvesprings they

> > use are about the same specs also (mine have 120lbs seat pressure,
310
>
> > open... theirs have 140lbs seat pressure, and 290 open). Why
> > wouldn't
> > the stock rockers be good
> enough
> > for my engine if they're good enough for the crate engine?
> >
> > --
> > Doug Myers
> > -------------
> > '99 Dakota RC/SB 5.9L/5-speed/3.92SG - 14.320@98.46mph
> > R/T wheels, Nitto NT-450 275/50R17 tires, K&N Gen II FIPK, Comp Cams
> > '604 cam, ProGear timing chain, MP 2-bbl MPI, MP 1.92" R/T heads,
> > Hughes'
> roller
> > rockers, MP polished valve covers, ASP crank pulley, MP Headers, 3"
> Dynomax
> > cat, 3" Flowmaster, Accel Supercoil, Magnecor KV-85 8.5mm Race
> > Wires,
> > Melling HV oil pump, Centerforce Dual Friction Clutch
> >
> >
>



This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 12:03:40 EDT