# Adjusting valves **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** ford\ **Created:** [November 26, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/adjusting-valves/40008 "2009-11-26T16:15:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![lakemead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@lakemead](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lakemead)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2009, 4:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/adjusting-valves/40008/1 "2009-11-26T16:15:43Z")
how do I adjust valves on 1990 5.0 ford. ---
**Author:** ![Xebadaih](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/d07c76/32.png) [@Xebadaih](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Xebadaih)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2009, 4:19pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/adjusting-valves/40008/2 "2009-11-26T16:19:44Z")
You can’t. ---
**Author:** ![Caddyman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/caddyman/32/23_2.png) [@Caddyman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Caddyman)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/adjusting-valves/40008/3 "2009-11-26T16:39:28Z")
Depending on the style of rocker arm, you can…They adjust the same way as a SB chevy. With the engine running, valve cover off, (yes, get ready for a big mess) loosen the rocker stud until it starts to click. Tighten it down SLOWLY until the clicking stops. Then slowly take it down 1.5 more turns. The engine will stumble until the lifter bleeds down and the valve completely closes…Repeat for all the valves. If it’s just ONE valve that’s making noise, make sure the rocker, rocker pivot, rocker stud and push-rod are all sound before you try to adjust it…You can’t adjust junk… ---
**Author:** ![oldschool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e19adc/32.png) [@oldschool](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldschool)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2009, 5:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/adjusting-valves/40008/4 "2009-11-26T17:05:07Z")
If you are trying to eliminate noise do not discount the possibility that the issue is not adjustment but a worn or defective part in the valve train. Your valve train has adjustment capability primairly for assembly purposes, that is it is not a service procedure. ---
**Author:** ![lakemead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3ec8ea/32.png) [@lakemead](https://community.cartalk.com/u/lakemead)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2009, 6:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/adjusting-valves/40008/5 "2009-11-27T18:27:25Z")
thanks, getting at that back bolt on valve cover was challeging, however I did as instructed with success. ---
**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/adjusting-valves/40008/6 "2009-11-27T21:03:50Z")
Exactly, and unless the top end has been apart adjusting the valves to cover up a noise is an attempt to whitewash the root cause of it; which you can expect to reappear.