i have all my rocker arms off my heads because i had them rebuilt. My question is what is the proper method to installing the factory rocker arms. I have read a million different things, and am just curious what is the right method.

Examples of what i have read
Start at TDC with cylinder #1 having exhuast and intake valve closed then snug bolt and turn anywhere from 1/4-3/4 after. Then turn the crank 90 degrees following the firing order to tighten rocker arms repeat previous torque method.

Then ive also read to torque the rocker arm bolts to 21ft/lbs and it doesnt matter what order becuase its self adjusting<---don't like this method but maybe the torque spec holds true.

and then this (but this was just a random rocker arm install info i looked up)

Rotate the crankshaft until the number one piston is at top dead center (TDC) of the compression stroke. In this position, cylinder number one rocker arms will be off lobe lift, and the crankshaft sprocket key will be at the 1:30 position. The engine firing order is 1,8,7,2,6,5,4,3. Cylinders 1,3,5, and 7 are left bank. Cylinders 2,4,6, and 8 are right bank.

1. With the engine in the number one firing position, tighten the following valve rocker arm bolts: Tighten
   • Tighten the exhaust valve rocker arm bolts 1,2,7, and 8 to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
   • Tighten the intake valve rocker arm bolts 1,3,4, and 5 to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
2. Rotate the crankshaft 360 degrees.
3. Tighten the following valve rocker arm bolts: Tighten
   • Tighten the exhaust valve rocker arm bolts 3,4,5, and 6 to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).
   • Tighten the intake valve rocker arm bolts 2,6,7, and 8 to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

 

dang man.. you're making it harder than it has to be..

those critters are pedestal mount.. just bolt them on to spec. it's 21# on the H&S, but mostly on the account you don't snap the metal used to make them.. I once heard that factory is at 40#, but I'm thinking I'd check for that spec if'n i were you..

those things just need to be anchored- anchored enough to stay in place and provide the pivot.. it doesn't take much to hold them there.

 

Its never a bad idea to follow the firing order it wont hurt nothing even with oem rockers. Lets you tighten when your on the cams base circle with no spring pressures.

 

i just like to do things right the first time and it has to be more than a just bolt up and go type deal. The only rockers i ever installed were a full roller setup on my chevy 383 stroker. I just wanna make sure on these stamped steel pedestal mount rockers that im setting it up right. Im assuming i need to torque each rocker down when im on the particular cylinder's compression stroke, but you know what they say about assumptions.

 

GOOGLE dodge lash adjustment chart and follow it as said wont hurt but will lessen the spring pressure to get accurate torque spec. #1TDC= adjust #2-IN/#8-EX , rotate 90 and continue on.

 

Just rotate the crank until the "V8" on the dampener lines up with the "0" timing mark on the front cover. tighten them all to 21#, no need to rotate each time.

And you have the firing order wrong. should be 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.