How far are you turning the adjuster once you take the slack out of the pushrod to preload the lifter plunger? I'm not impressed with the factory method of determining which valves to adjust- - - -it leaves too much room for guesswork. I prefer using the "companion cylinder" method of establishing top dead center, which involves observing the movement of the pushrods and rocker arms of the cylinder that's halfway around the firing order from the cylinder that's being adjusted. If you want to install a temporary pointer at the front of the engine and mark the crankshaft pulley, it's simpler and easier than messing with marking the flywheel. Watching the rocker arms is just as effective, and a lot less work.
Companion cylinders are: 1&6, 2&5, and 3&4. These pistons reach top dead center at the same time, one on the compression stroke with both valves closed (ready to adjust) and the companion cylinder is at the top of the exhaust stroke with the exhaust valve closing and the intake just beginning to open. This condition. with the valves moving in opposite directions, is called "rocking".
Let's get ready to adjust the valves on the #1 cylinder- - - - -Turn the crankshaft clockwise from the front, and watch the rocker arms and valve springs (not the pushrods) on the #6 cylinder. The last rocker back by the firewall (#6 exhaust) will begin to compress the valve spring, causing the valve to open. Keep turning. The exhaust valve will open fully and begin to close- - -the spring will relax. Keep turning. Just as the exhaust valve reaches the closed position, the second rocker from the rear (#6 intake) will begin to move. Stop turning. Go to the #1 cylinder and adjust both valves. They will both be fully closed, with the piston at top dead center.
Continue turning the crankshaft and watch the valves on #2 cylinder as they assume the "rocking" position. This will happen 1/3 of a turn of the crankshaft after #6. Adjust cylinder 5. Turn again until #4 rocks- - - -adjust #3. Rock #1- - - -adjust #6. Rock #5- - - -adjust #2. Rock ##3- - - -adjust #4.
On a hydraulic lifter engine wait 15 minutes before starting to allow all the lifters to bleed down to their normal running position. A mechanical lifter engine can be adjusted the same way with no time delay before starting.
In my opinion, this is the simplest, most accurate method of adjusting valves, and it only takes two turns of the crankshaft to do it.
Jerry
