Valve adjustment problem w/hydraulic lifters Options

[rjames]

Verifying valves are set properly and I can't adjust one of the exhaust valves past zero lash without tremendous effort. The associated pushrod doesn't budge. None of the others are that way. Do I need to pull the lifter or is there a chance I can run it at zero lash for a few minutes and try adjusting it again without hurting anything?

[Nate]

No. You actually don't need to remove the rocker arms at all to remove the push rod tube retaining spring. By the same token, you can put all the rocker arm assemblies in, then do your valve adjustment, then lastly put the push rod tube retaining spring back in so it's not in your way during the process. you do want to make sure the retaining spring is not binding or contacting the rocker arms or push rods at all once you put it back in.

[rjames]

No. You actually don't need to remove the rocker arms at all to remove the push rod tube retaining spring. By the same token, you can put all the rocker arm assemblies in, then do your valve adjustment, then lastly put the push rod tube retaining spring back in so it's not in your way during the process. you do want to make sure the retaining spring is not binding or contacting the rocker arms or push rods at all once you put it back in.

This is good to know. I couldn't see how to remove the retaining spring without removing both pairs of rockers, but knowing it's possible, I'll play with it. The retaining spring felt like it was fairly easy to bend out of shape, so I didn't fool with it too much. Plus I can't hardly see what I'm doing with the heat exchanger in the way. I don't want to remove the exchanger as I've been down the stripped exhaust route before and have reason to believe I'll be down that road again if I remove the exchanger.