This seems a little close to the head. It's not touching but it's very close. I tightened the cap bolts to spec and noticed this. Is this normal? Most of them are this close.

The push rods appears to be to centered in the block. 2000 cherokee brand new head

 

Does seem close. The one I can see in this pic looks offset though:

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P.../IMG_0696a.jpg

 

Is it possible the head is bolted on incorrectly? It seemed to set right on the dowels and I had no trouble torquing everything down.

 

Are all the push rods like that?

 

Yup

 

Who's head is that? Do you still have your old head to compare the push rod port sizes?

 

OEM 0331 cylinder head.



.

 

It's a clearwater head. I have the original. They appear to be the same size and place eyeballing it.

I read somewhere that not having oil in the motor can mess up the positioning of the lifters.

Not sure where to go from here. I can turn the motor over no problem while seeing the springs compress and decompress.

 

The lifters should have a .020" to .060" preload. You should read up on preload.


Here's a pic that show preload check.


You start with the lifters with no oil in them. Assemble the push rods, rockers, pivots, and bridge in place. Slowly turn the capscrews down one at a time while turning the push rod with your finger tips until resistance is felt (you're at zero lash). Mark the position of zero lash on the capscrews and pivots, then tighten the capscrews alternately to 21 ft/lbs. See if the reference mark falls within the .020" to .060" range.


When you pre-oil the engine and start it the lifters will pump up. You should have adequate clearance between the push rods and their bores.


.

 

I should have added that the piston for the rocker set must be at TDC compression when doing the preload check.

 

Got it, I will try this today. Thank you very much.

 

Rocker bridge twisted?

 

Could be but it's hard to imagine that all the bridges are twisted.


OP,


Check to see if the bridges got twisted when you installed them. It's easy to do. A twisted bridge will **** the rocker off to one side which will pull the push rod over to one side.


Look at the bridges in that pic I posted about preload checking. They are straight.

 

Bridges are all straight and the rockers sit solidly in the middle.

I've completed the pre load test and most of them fell at the .02 mark or just a tad more. Can I add oil to the engine and see if the clearances change? I would have to turn the motor over by hand since I have it all apart right now

 

The clearances won't change, as far as you're concerned.


Add the oil and pre oil it, if you can. To what extent is it all apart?


Pre oiling should be done with the distributor removed and a tool to engage the oil pump drive, and using a 1/2 HP drill motor turn the tool until oil comes out of the push rods and floods the rockers. If all you did was changed the head you really don't need to pre oil the engine.