I've got the Engnbldr Street RV head with a 268 stick. I've had to adjust the exhaust valves three times in the first 15k miles. Is this normal?? Not preventative, either, but to the point where if I didn't, it would stall on me. What gives?

If it's normal break-in, fine. If I'm going to have to do this every ~5k from now on; not fine.

 

Did you replace the rocker arms too? If not, the rocker arms have a wear pattern from the old cam and this can accelerate wear on the cam and the rocker arms. Kind of like putting new brake pads on grooved rotors.

Also, are you sure you're getting enough oil to the top end?

 

Not sure about the rocker arms. Sent the full Engnbldr head to the shop that did the lower end clean up for installation. Does the StreetRV head not come with them?? Guess I should have asked...

As far as oil to the top end, how could I tell if I'm getting "enough?" Valve cover was wet when I pulled it, I get sprinkles of oil out of the cap if I remove it while idling, my stock pressure gauge reads a little over half going down the road, so I know I'm getting "some" oil, but I don't know how much.

 

I emailed engnbldr about getting new rocker arms with the 268 cam and possibly getting the larger valves, and he said it wasn't necessary.

 

umm... okay. Would you replace your rings without honing the cylinders? ... hone the cylinders without replacing the rings?

I actually had a similar email from ted. They don't 'offer' new rocker shafts and arms but if a customer requests, they install OEM, which is perfectly fine. But most every cam vendor recommends replacing followers, arms, shims, etc. when replacing a cam. Reduces the break-in time on the cam and reduces abnormal wear caused by used parts. I wouldn't install new rocker arms without new rocker shafts as well, for the same reason.

 

yeah. it may not be required, but it's still probably a good idea for new rockers.

 

and it's entirely possible that not installing new rockers (and shafts) is the reason for having to re-adjust the valves every 5000 miles.

can't say that is the reason, but it would be prudent to check the rockers. otherwise a cam is going to get worn away and replacing it isn't always an easy task.

 

Ok, what does one do to check the rockers?