How to deflect oil to adjust valves with roller rockers?

[nikwho]

Hey guys,
So, I'm trying to adjust valves with engine running. I'm tired of oil splashing out of head, onto header wrap, making a big, smokey mess! So, any tricks to keep the oil in the head? I've seen various deflectors, but all of them seem to be for stamped factory style rockers, not aluminum roller rockers. Any thoughts, tricks, tips or hacks, to make this process a little easier for me?

I'm thinking about cutting the top inside quarter of a valve cover off, that will leave just enough material to prevent oil splashing out. For the guys that adjust their valves with their engine running, what do you do?

[Rickysnickers]

I have heard of people taking the old sheet metal valve covers and cutting them in half lengthwise and bolting them down on the lower half of the head. It supposedly cuts down on the oil splash issues.

[lutronjim]

I did as you suggest - cut center out of old sheet metal cover enough to adjust - not perfect but much better than an oil bath

[nikwho]

Seems like someone would have this pretty well figured out, given these engines having not really changed since 1954! LOL. I would like to have a valve cover that I can bolt in place and open up over pairs of valves and adjusting them one set at a time. Could be one or two covers, as I could shut down after adjusting 8, move to the other side of the engine then adjusting those 8. I will start cutting a valve cover tomorrow morning and see what I end up with. I have used a piece of cardboard before, about 8" tall, that covered the lower half of the head, and bent to go up each side. I just want something that won't make a mess. Need to buy a scrench (that's what we call them for chainsaws) that I can stick an Allen wrench through. I've seen clever tools before, it seems, that somehow connected the two tools. Need a 9/16" scrench, with a 3/16" allen.

[nikwho]

Just ordered this from Proform Tools. Will consider the use of this, when slicing up my valve cover tomorrow!

https://www.proformparts.com/product...2-allen-wrench

[geezer#99]

I’ve done the valve cover trick but found the best way was just a chunk of cardboard about 8 inches high and bent to fit. Easy to install, easy to move if needed.
Major problem with using a valve cover is you need to seal it down like normal with a gasket other wise oil will leak down onto the manifolds or headers.

[nikwho]

Hmm. The bent cardboard is what I was doing. I'm looking for something better. I use RTV on the bottom of cork valve cooler gaskets, with none on the top. I've managed to keep them sealed, while keeping the gasket on the head, and keeping the valve cover removable. So, shouldn't be an issue keeping it sealed during valve adjustment.

[memo43]

I've used these clips with great success, they deflect the oil down, preventing the oil bath.

[nikwho]

Originally Posted by memo43

I've used these clips with great success, they deflect the oil down, preventing the oil bath.

And those work with aluminum roller rockers? The clips I've seen say stamped rockers only.

[memo43]

I've never had any issues with them on aluminum rockers
the disclaimer is so that you you scratche the soft aluminum yoi can't blame the company.

[mongocanfly]

We always just played a grese rag over them..

[burnin oil]

Lower the idle speed down tends to help. I have only had one motor that was super messy and that was a backyard rebuild 283. I kid you not, she would shoot oil over the fenders onto the floor! I prefer doing a running hot lash myself but on some applications it just doest happen. I bribe the wife 1-2 times a year to turn the flywheel on the k20 while I set the solid lifters. I have melted one to many pair of shoes on the headers and bumped the fan also. I really wish you could use a baring tool like on a diesel. Those things are were iys at.

[Tom]

I just adjust with the engine off...