2003 Buick Regal rocker arms & pushrods

STEPHEN KARANJA

MEMBER
2003 BUICK REGAL
3.8L
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

Im-installing rocker arms and pushrods on this vehicle.I believe they say, you have to bring your piston to top dead centre for your adjustment for every cylinder.I can see the markings on the crank shaft for the no one piston. But how do I know the rest of the cylinders are at top dead centre?There are no markings. Also when you toque the rocker arms to 11ft/lbs as required, should the pushrods be on exactly same level. Sometimes when I toque one valve seems to be slightly lower than the other. Will this damage the engine?Please help I've struggled with this for two weeks. And theres no literature on exact procedures. Any expert info would be greatly appreciated. This is a 3800 series 2 engine not super charged. Common on most gm vehicles.

3 Replies

FREEMBA

MECHANIC
1,152 POSTS

Once the push rods and rocker arms are installed simply torque the rocker arm bolts to 11 lb. Ft. Then rotate each bolt an additional 90 degrees. (That is all)

You do not have to bring the piston up to Top Dead Center.

One caution:
Do not over tighten the rocker arm bolts. This will over stress the threads in the cylinder head and could cause them to strip out.

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Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 AT 7:01 PM

STEPHEN KARANJA

MEMBER
47 POSTS

Thank god you have lifted a load off my shoulders.I just got done with a head gasket job on this car. But that"s as far as I got. Because I just don't know how to go about the rocker arm and pushrod procedure. And worse no info on it. One question, most videos I have watched regarding this, say you have to adjust the valves at top dead centre. You tell me to just put the rocker arms & pushrods and just toque to specification. Why may I ask. Is it because they are self adjusting, please explain in detail if could.I just want to have the satisfaction on whats going on.

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Tuesday, July 22nd, 2014 AT 10:11 PM

FREEMBA

MECHANIC
1,152 POSTS

Your car has hydraulic lifters. These lifters can and will adjust be filling with engine oil once the vehicle is started. They take up the slack that is left in the push rod/rocker arm assemblies to prevent noise and allow the valves to open and close at the proper time.

Some engines will need to have the rocker arm and push rods adjusted such as the small block Chevy V-8's, some Fords, older OHV engines, etc.

However, most modern engines use the technique I sent you; meaning that they call for a torque specification and then turn the bolt an additional angle (90 degrees, 45 deg, Etc).

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Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014 AT 6:34 AM