I bought a new short block for my Kohler CV730 25HP. I'm about to take the old cylinder, valves, rocker arms, push rods, etc. from my old engine and place on the new block. Unfortunately, I'm very confused by the manual. I assume that I just place the old push rods into the lifters and tighten the rocker arms to .0005 gap. Do I need to do that at top dead center or can I just ignore the piston placement, install and tighten? Or are there rules I need to follow? Thanks, I'm a real novice mechanic..as I'm sure you have surmised by now.

I believe you want Kohler SV7xx / SV8xx on Craftsman.
http://kohlerengines.com/engines/onlinecatalog/pdf/sm_32_690_01.pdf


2. Rotate crankshaft to establish TDC on compression
stroke for cylinder 1.
Check for:
a. Compression will be felt through spark plug hole.
b. Keyway of crankshaft will be aligned with cylinder
1.
c. No rocker arm/push rod movement if crankshaft
is rotated slightly back and forth. If they are
moving, rotate crankshaft 1 full revolution.
3. Insert a 0.127 mm (0.005 in.) feeler gauge between
end of 1 valve and rocker arm. Turn adjuster or
adjustment nut (based on design), until a slight drag
is felt. Hold in this position and tighten locking nut or
setscrew securely. Torque setscrew to 7.9 N·m
(70 in. lb.). After tightening recheck adjustment.
Proper valve clearance is 0.101/0.152 mm
(0.004/0.006 in.).
4. Repeat procedure for other valve on side 1.
5. Viewed from PTO end, rotate crankshaft 270° (3/4
turn) counterclockwise and align crankshaft keyway
with cylinder 2, which now puts cylinder at TDC on
compression stroke.
6. Repeat steps 3-4 for setting valve clearance on side
2.
7. Rotate crankshaft to check for free operation of
valve train. Check for clearance between valve
spring coils at full lift, or bending of push rod(s) can
occur. Minimum allowable clearance is 0.25 mm
(0.010 in.).

1. Top end is the replacement of cam, lifters, push rods, rocker arms, valves, valve springs, valve guides, valve oil seals, cylinder heads resurfaced, and checked for cracks. (Magna fluxed)
2. Bottom end is engine block resurfaced & checked for cracks, Cylinders honed, crank bearing resurfaced/re-rounded, crank rebalance, new crank bearings. New connecting rods, new rod bearings, new pistons, new piston rings, new freeze out plugs, new front & rear crank seals, new oil pump.

Oldsmobile Torque Specs - GbodyOlds.com

www.gbodyolds.com/forum/showthread.php?754-Oldsmobile-Torque...
Feb 7, 2013 - 2 posts - ‎2 authors Oldsmobile Small-Block Engines Cylinder Head Bolts (1/2in. bolt) 130 ft. lbs. Cylinder Head ... Rocker Arm Pivot Bolt 25 ft. lbs. Rod Bearing ...

Rocker Arms - AutoZone

www.autozone.com/...Cutlass...1987.../Rocker-Arms/_/P-0900...

AutoZoneGM Cutlass RWD 1970-1987 Repair Guide ... To remove the rocker arms from the shaft, the nylon arm retainers must be removed. ... 7: Engine valve system, 260, 307, 350, 403 Oldsmobile built engines ... Unfasten the two bolts that attach the rocker arm pivot to the cylinder head. ... Torque the retaining bolts to 25 ft. lbs.

bent push rods come from improper movement of the rocker and valve
This can be from an incorrect length push rod-- some v8 engines run different lengths for inlet and exhaust
from rocker arm jamming on the shaft or rocker ball
hydraulic cam follower pumping up and jamming the valve spring to a solid block
bent valve stem above the valve guide
valve spring Colette moved or misplaced incorrect rocker for that valve-- some engines run different length rockers for inlet and exhaust
what to do-- if this engine was running all right for some time then the rocker can be omitted. if the problem has been occurring since the cold weather the the oil may be too thick and not allowing the follower to leak down properly
check the follower or replace it , change to a lighter viscosity oil for the duration of the cold weather
unless you have had a recent head change or other mechanical work done the problem will be in those areas.

Rocker arms have to be removed, BUT newer push rods are NOT adjustable, so you just can't loosen the push rods.

On the cylinder you're working on, BOTH valves MUST be closed.
EVENLY loosen rocker arm mounting block bolts, a little at a time.

Also, IF you remove the push rods, they are different lengths, so pay attention which one goes back where!

5 million made.
it's in the fsm book
posted here over 300 times.
are you asking , how to set rockers ?

chapter 9 page 27
------------------text fsm---------------------
INSPECTION
Inspect the pivot surface area of each rocker arm.
Replace any that are scuffed, pitted, cracked or
excessively worn.
Inspect the valve stem tip contact surface of each
rocker arm and replace any rocker arm that is deeply
pitted.
Inspect each push rod end for excessive wear and
replace as required. If any push rod is excessively
worn because of lack of oil, replace it and inspect the
corresponding hydraulic tappet for excessive wear.
Inspect the push rods for straightness by rolling
them on a flat surface or by shining a light between
the push rod and the flat surface.
A wear pattern along the length of the push rod is
not normal. Inspect the engine cylinder head for
obstruction if this condition exists.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: This procedure can be done with the engine
in or out of the vehicle.
(1) Lubricate the ball ends of the push rods with
Mopart Engine Oil Supplement, or equivalent and
install push rods in their original locations. Ensure
that the bottom end of each push rod is centered in
the tappet plunger cap seat.
(2) Using Mopart Engine Oil Supplement, or
equivalent, lubricate the area of the rocker arm that
the pivot contacts. Install rocker arms, pivots and
bridge above each cylinder in their originally position
(Fig. 23).
(3) Loosely install the capscrews through each
bridge.
(4) At each bridge, tighten the capscrews alternately,
one turn at a time, to avoid damaging the
bridge. Tighten the capscrews to 28 N·m (21 ft. lbs.)
torque.
(5) Install the engine cylinder head cover (Refer to
9 - ENGINE/CYLINDER HEAD/CYLINDER HEAD
COVER(S) - INSTALLATION).

Removal

1. Drain engine cooling system.

1. Disconnect battery ground cable (14301) .

1. Remove engine air cleaner (ACL) (9600) including air cleaner outlet tube (9B659) .

1. Loosen drive belt tensioner (6B209). Remove drive belts (8620) .

1. If LH cylinder head (6049) is being removed, perform the following:
   1. Remove oil filler cap (6766) .
   1. Remove power steering pump front mounting bracket retaining bolts.
   1. Remove generator (GEN) (10346) and belt idler pulley (8678).
   1. Remove power steering pump/generator bracket retaining bolts. Leave hoses connected, place pump/bracket assembly aside in a position to prevent fluid from leaking out.

1. If RH cylinder head is being removed, perform the following:
   1. Remove drive belts .
   1. If equipped with A/C, remove mounting bracket retaining bolts. Leave hoses connected and position A/C compressor (19703) aside.
   1. Remove positive crankcase ventilation valve (PCV valve) (6A666) .

1. Remove upper intake manifold (9424) .

1. Remove valve cover retaining bolts.

1. Remove fuel injection supply manifold (9F792).

1. Remove lower intake manifold as outlined.

1. Remove exhaust manifolds (9430) as outlined.

1. Loosen rocker arm seat retaining bolts enough to allow rocker arm (6564) to be lifted off the push rod (6565) and rotate to one side.

1. Remove push rods . Identify position of each push rod . Push rods should be installed in their original position during assembly.

1. Remove cylinder head retaining bolts and discard.

1. Remove cylinder heads .

1. Remove and discard old head gaskets (6051) .

Installation

1. NOTE: Lightly oil all bolts and stud bolt threads before installation except those specifying special sealant.
   Clean cylinder head, intake manifold , valve cover (6582) and head gasket surfaces. If cylinder head was removed for head gasket replacement, check flatness and sealing areas for scratches of cylinder head and cylinder block gasket surfaces. Refer to Section 03-00 for procedure.
2. Position new head gaskets onto cylinder block (6010) using cylinder head to block dowels (6A008) for alignment.
   
   Head Gasket
   
   
   
   
   
3. Position cylinder heads onto cylinder block .
4. CAUTION: Always use new cylinder head bolts to ensure a leak-tight assembly. Torque retention with used bolts can vary, which may result in coolant or compression leakage at the cylinder head mating surface area.
   -ft).
   
5. For 3.8L non-SC engine, tighten cylinder head retaining bolts in numerical sequence in three steps as follows:
   1. 20 Nm (15 Lb-Ft)
   1. 40 Nm (29 Lb-Ft)
   1. 50 Nm (37 Lb-Ft)
6. CAUTION: Do not loosen all of the bolts at the same time, only work on one bolt at a time or possible damage to engine or leakage may occur.
   In sequence, loosen retaining bolts two to three revolutions and retighten bolts one at a time in the following manner:
   1. Long bolts:
      • 15-25 Nm (11-18 lb-ft).
      • Tighten bolt an additional 85-95 degrees.
      • Go to next bolt in sequence.
   1. Short bolts:
      • 10-20 Nm (7-15 lb-ft).
      • Tighten bolt an additional 85-95 degrees.
      • Go to next bolt in sequence.
      
      
      
      
      
      Item Part Number Description 1 6010 Cylinder Block 2 - Locating Pin (2 Req'd) 3 N802515-S Cylinder Head Bolt (4 Req'd Each Side) 4 6049 Cylinder Head 5 N802516-S Cylinder Head Bolt (4 Req'd Each Side) 6 6A008 Cylinder Head to Block Dowel
7. NOTE: If original valve train components are being installed, a valve clearance check is not required. If a component has been replaced, perform a valve clearance check as outlined.
   Dip each push rod end in Engine Assembly Lubricant D9AZ-19579-D or equivalent meeting Ford Specification ESR-M99C80-A and install push rods in their original position.
8. For each valve, rotate crankshaft (6303) until valve tappet (6500) rests on the heel (base circle) of the camshaft lobe, before tightening rocker arm seat retaining bolts to 7-15 Nm (5-11 lb-ft) maximum.
9. Lubricate all rocker arms with Engine Assembly Lubricant D9AZ-19579-D or equivalent meeting Ford Specification ESR-M99C80-A. Final-tighten the rocker arm seat bolts to 30-40 Nm (22-30 lb-ft). For final tightening, camshaft (6250) may be in any position.
   
10. Install exhaust manifolds as outlined.
11. Install lower intake manifold as outlined.
12. Install fuel injection supply manifold .
13. Position valve cover and new valve cover gasket (6584) on cylinder head and install retaining bolts. Note location of ignition wire routing clip stud bolts. Tighten retaining bolts to 9-12 Nm (7-9 lb-ft).
14. Install upper intake manifold .Install spark plugs (12405) , if removed.
15. Connect ignition wires to the spark plugs .
16. If LH cylinder head is being installed, perform the following:
    1. Install oil filler cap.
    1. Install generator/power steering pump mounting bracket.
    1. Install generator .
    1. Install main accessory drive belt tensioner .
    1. Install power steering pump (3A674) .
1. Install power steering pump support bracket.If RH cylinder head is being installed, perform the following:
17. 1. Install positive crankcase ventilation valve .
    1. If equipped with A/C, install A/C compressor mounting brackets (2882) and A/C compressor .
18. Install drive belt and tighten to specification.
19. Connect battery ground cable .
20. Install air cleaner outlet tube.

Nothing on the bottom. Put in the push rod, then the rocker arm on the bolt. There is a thick conical washer that goes on next, then the nut. DO NOT tighten the rocker nut until you have that cylinder on top dead center or you may bend the push rod. Adjust valve lash and re-adjust after engine is running.

Go to a local library and check out a Clinton Manual or similar for GM small blocks. Good Luck

check the valve lash sounds like you have them adjusted wrong, put the piston top dead center, with the rocker arms level with each other before you set them

Check that key again.