63 Head Valve Adjustment

[Fairlane Fixer]

Howdy,

My 63 head has adjusting nuts on the rocker arms
over the pushrods.

I just installed my head and was wandering is there
a certain way or procedure to adjust the valves/pushrod
now my head is on :

Would I use the TDC and make 2 more marks
so that the timing is divided in 3rd's and adjust
the appropriate valves for each mark location?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[CZLN6]

Howdy Fairlane fixer:

Is this an early, solid lifter 200, Or a later block plumbed for hydraulic lifters?

If it is a solid lifter block, rotate the engine until #1 cylinder is at TDC on the compression stroke. This will have the following valves closed and in the adjust position; #1intake and exhaust, #2 intake, # 3 exhaust, #4 intake and #5 exhaust. Now rotate the engine until the #6 piston is at TDC on the compression stroke. Adjust the remaining valve lash; #2 exhaust, #3 intake, #4 exhaust, #5 intake and #6 intake and exhaust. This is most easily done with the spark plugs out and by hand. When a valve is closed adjust the lash by inserting a feeler guage between the rocker arm and the valve stem tip. My recollection is that the lash is specified at .015" cold or .012" hot. Check your shop manual to varify.

If this is a Hydraulic block, simply warm up the engine with the valve cover off. Turn it off and tighten the adjusting nut while spinning the pushrod between your finger and thumb until the push rod resists, then tighten another 1/2 turn.

While you have the valve cover off watch to see that oil is getting to the front rocker arms. If they don't get oil within a minute, you have a dirty, or partially blocked rocker shaft.

Adios, David

 

[Fairlane Fixer]

Thanks for your reply.

It is a '63 Head & a '68 Block (7 mains) with hyd. lifters.

I may decide later to put a later head on with bigger valves.