mdemco

We have our families 65 Cutlass drug out of storage and were really enjoying it until this all started.

A rocker arm nut backed off and the rocker begin to clatter. So I pulled the valve cover went to TDC and tightened until I felt resistance while turning the push rod (zero lash) then went 1/4 turn.

It spun loose again a mile down the road. Thinking it had a worn/stretched nut I bought 3/8 Crower sure locks and changed them all in the same matter. Now they all clatter.

They are pedestal mounted and the heads are #2. I keep reading they are non-adjustable but can not find any online reference as to how to actually set them. A post mention 25 ft lbs. but it did not feel right.

Any ideas before sacrificing these covers and just setting lash while running?

Thank you,

oldcutlass

Can you post a picture of your setup? The 65 setup is an odd ball because it uses a 3/8 stud vs 5/16 bolts on the 66 and later V8's. I believe they are non adjustable and just torque down as the 66 and up setups. I found this out in another thread while quoting the parts list that mistakenly included the 65's as the same part number as the 66 and later in the post below.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...-question.html

stan 65 cutlass

dont think you set the lash, just tighten the nuts. someone while chime in im sure who actualy knows the answer

nsnarsk65cutlass

We need a picture.I don't recall any adjustable nuts when i had the valve covers off my 65 with #2 heads.From memory it had the bolted down fulcroms.

mdemco

I attempted to torque at 25 ft. lbs. per a reference found on the board here, but got nervous as it felt like I was simply collapsing the lifter.

Do you torque each cylinder at tdc compression stroke with the lifters off the lobe and valves shut?

Thanks for any pointers!

oldcutlass

Torque them with the valves closed then run the set screws down. Hopefully those locks don't interfere with movement. The preload is set by collapsing the lifter a small amount.

mdemco

Is 25 ft. lbs the correct setting?

After looking around here I ordered the short height locks, they clear no problem.

oldcutlass

It says 35#'s sbo and 25#'s bbo on here:

http://www.oldsmobility.com/old/torquespecs.htm

mdemco

Should we reuse the washers that were originally under the rocker nuts on these new locking nuts?

Smitty275

Its been a long time since I've seen a virgin set of heads with the stud set up. I don't recall washers under the nuts. There is no need for them.

mdemco

Thank you for the assistance gentleman; 35 ft. lbs. and she purrs like a kitten.

Warhead

Don't the washers go between the rocker stud and fulcrum?
I saved a few sets of washers with the orig studs.