how hard is it to adjust rocker arms? i have never done it . i have read you can get extra power with good rocker arms...

 

i think the stock ones self adjust rockers

 

Stock rocker arms (and many of the aftermarket) are not adjustable. There are some out there that are adjustable, and proper adjustment is critical.

Which arms do you have?

 

for your 5.3, buy the proper length pushrods and there is no need to adjust rockers.

 

I dont have the rocker arms yet, i read that by replacing them on new heads or even on stock heads i could gain and even quiet the'noise ' in the engine all this is considering i replace the heads with some high flow ones

 

A lot of noise you hear are due to headers.

There are two types of rockers. There are non adjustable (like stock rockers), and adjustable.

Non adjustable are to be torqued to a specific number (usually 22-ft lbs), and the pushrod will change the preload.

Adjustable rockers have a lock nut, and can be adjusted up and down as they are not set at a specific torque. The height it is to be set as it is determined by the footprint from the tip of the rocker where it wipes on the valve stem tip. The pushrod length is then determined after the proper footprint has been achieved.

You can free up some HP with roller rockers as they reduce the friction. There are however plenty of people making good power with stock rockers. I bought aftermarket adjustable roller rockers, and if I did it again, I would more than likely stay with stock rockers unless I was looking for a different rocker ratio.

 

the only reason i see to upgrade rockers is when you get into really high lift cams. im running .632 lift and need to start looking into the options but it runs fine on the stockers. it is rough on the valve stems and valve guides though.