[bthood2002]

I have a 71 302 in my car. I tried to adjust the nut on top of the rocker arm that mounts the arm to the head. I turned it till it just makes contact with the valves. After two or three minutes, the lifter comes loose and starts tapping. Should I tighten them down all the way till they are bottomed out? Will this bend or break a valve? I am certain that the engine is a 71. I have a book, but all it seems to address is using a feeler guage to adjust a screw in the center of the arm. I dont have a screw! Can anyone suggest something besides dynamite?
Brian

[65BlueHorse]

Make sure the valve is completly shut then tighen the nut on the rocker arm until the point where you can no longer spin the pushrod with your fingers and then go 1/4 turn farther. Once you get them all adjusted start the car with one valve cover off. Loosen the nut until it starts to tap and then tighten it until the sound stops and then go 1/4 turn farther. this should get them adjusted right. if the continue to come loose you may need new lock nuts.

[joef21]

Your 302 should have non-adjusting rocker arms. You can tell if it has a 5/16 end on a 3/8 stud. The procedure for adjusting these is to tighten the bolt until it hits the shoulder of the stud and then torque to18-20 pounds. The other method is for adustable studs. Also you shoud find that your nuts are not self locking.