383lt1

[ls1 champ]

my cousins took off his valve cover and saw that one of his 8 valves was loose. i was wondering if he can just tighten it and if so how much pressure, he doesnt want to break it or want it to still be loose. any help?

[5.0THIS]

Do you mean the rocker arm is loose? Is it a stock valvetrain or roller rockers? When adjusting valves you have to turn the engine over so that on the cylinder you're working on it is at top dead center on the combustion cycle. From there, tighten the rocker down until all of the slack is taken out of the pushrod (you can still turn the pushrod with your fingers, but there is no vertical play). From there, most people tighten an additional 1/4 to 1/2 turn (which adds preload).


That is just a generic procedure for hydraulic lifter cams in small block chevy motors. It is different if it's a solid cam.