273 adjustable rockers

[brent vendsel]

hi! im'm new to mopar chat.this place is huge!can i put an hydraulic cam in my 273 and still use my adjustable rocker arms? if so, what do i set them at? thanks for any replies.

[DartByU]

I don't see why you couldn't run the same rockers as long as the pushrods were the right length, you would just adjust them about 1 turn tighter after 0 clearance. I have the Crane adjustabe rockers on my 360 in my Dart and I think they are just a stronger copy of the 273 rockers.

[brent vendsel]

if i would adjust them to 1 turn past 0,would'nt i be collapsing the lifters all the way?also how do i determine what the pushrod lenght should be?

[DartByU]

The pushrods should be long enough that the adjusting screw in the rocker arm is not screwed out of the bottom of the rocker more that a few threads and the nut at top should have threads sticking out of it too so it can be tightened up properly, and check for pushrod clearance with the head, and as far as adjusting them just make sure you are depressing the lifter plunger about .03-.04 thousands of a inch or about 1mm with the lifter on the base circle of the cam and you should be ok.

[gthomas]

I've used the 273 adjustable rockers on every 340ci and 360ci I've built since the 1970's. the way I do it is; while the engine is running, adjust until you hear tapping and then slowly adjust until the tapping goes away, after adjusting all of them, I turn off the engine and then give each of them a 1/4 turn.

[brent vendsel]

thank you guys very much for the information,my little 273 needs a pick me up.

[gwaii]

I had used the 273 rockers also,but do not use the 273 push rods as they are to long for use with hydraulic lifters.hope this helps.

[brent vendsel]

thanx , which pushrods did you use?stock or aftermarket?by the way,it says you are from bc.lower mainland?do you know of any good yards,other than that guy in aldergrove?

[Billydelrio]

I use a hydrolic cam in my 273 with adjustable rockers. I used Isky pushrods that I cut to fit.
My book shows a TRW 48814 pushrod for a hydrolic cam and adjustable rockers. It is 7.492 inches long with type A & D ends.
Speed-Pro makes a pushrod RP3219 that is 7.492 and a RP3219100 that is .100 shorter. They also make a cut to fit set RP8000R.
MOPAR PERFORMANCE also makes a set of pushrods for the adjustable - hydrolic set up
Billy

[brent vendsel]

hey,thanks a lot billydelrio,that helps me a lot!

[pishta]

Gthomas, how do you adjust these with the engine running? Chevy, yeah, because the adjustment is on the stud. Mopars adjusters move with the valvetrain. It is hard to get a wrench on it!

[gwaii]

Sorry brent,cant help you out with yards in the lower main land.Im up here in on the queen charlotte islands.

[Dart]

You do not adjust the 273 rockers with the engine running, especially with hydraulic lifters.

[Hybridized]

Originally posted by gthomas
I've used the 273 adjustable rockers on every 340ci and 360ci I've built since the 1970's. the way I do it is; while the engine is running, adjust until you hear tapping and then slowly adjust until the tapping goes away, after adjusting all of them, I turn off the engine and then give each of them a 1/4 turn.

I would LOVE to watch you do this.

Dude, if you don't know how to do it, don't offer advice!!!!!

[5th_Ave_Sleeper]

Hey Fella's dont discount the mans maintenance practices!
Its not impossible to adjust rockers while an engine runs. I have seen it done! This old fart had wrenches in his hands, held them loosly I guess. and went to town on some old 30s coupe or somthing. Its all about finesse(and experience)
5th

[Doug Wilson]

I've been adjusting non-chebby rockers with the adjustment on the end of the rocker, engine running, since 1957. It takes a little longer, and you splash some oil around, but it's no big deal. Use a 3/8 drive ratchet with a short extension and you'll get it done.
This from ...Doug

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!

[DartByU]

I know it's not a hydraulic cam but I used to adjust the mechanical cam in the slant six my Dart came with while the engine was at a slow idle, I'd use a socket and short extention and the proper feeler gauge and tighten down till it had just a little drag to it. It was a lot faster that way.

[Billydelrio]

I use go-nogo feeler gauges while the engine is running to adjust solid lifters.
The stock type iron adjustable rockers are easy to adjust with the engine running. The aluminum rockers with the lock nut are a totally different animal. I have never tried to adjust them with the engine running.
Billy

[pishta]

All mine had lock nuts, but if someone made an interference fit allen headed adjuster, you could use the ball end allen T Wrenches pretty easily.

[gwaii]

all sorts of ways to set up adjustable rockers,and i think all the ways mentioned will work , i have tried most of the ways mentioned and i think it is just a matter of what works the best for you .The way that worked best for me (shown to me many years ago by an old hot rodder)with the engine off but had been warmed up to operating temp.lifter of the rocker that you are adjusting on the base of the cam,loosen off the adjuster till there is noticable clearance between the tip of the rocker and valve stem ,then slowly start to tighten adjuster with wrench or screw driver in one hand and spinningthe push rod with thumb and finger of the other hand until you feel drag on the push rod,this brings you to zero lash,then go a quarter turn more for some pre load on the lifter(hydraulic lifters) and lock it down there. do the same for the rest of the rockers.This method has always worked good for me.

[cageman]

I adjust them loose and run the motor to pressurize the lifter and I shut her off. Than I Adjust them till they arent loose and add a 1/4 turn and it is good. With my 488 lift it would be impossible to adjust it when it is running. I tried it and about broke my wrist and poked out my eye with the tbar allen wrench.

[Hybridized]

With 18 threads per inch, that equates to 0.0556 inches per thread.

With a 1/4 of a turn (thread) there is only 0.0138 inches of preload.

I believe that 0.020" to 0.060" of preload is required for a hydraulic lifter. So the 1/4 turn is not enough.

[Karl43]

I would just use a hydraulic cam and use the stock hydraulic rockers & pushrods. We have done this with a 273 before. Just use the 318 rockers and pushrods. That way you do not have to worry about adjusting the rockers.