8 1/4 Gear Change Question

I dont think so. The adjusters have keepers that are bolted in place to keep em from backing out. Where did you hear that? A good snug fit and then bolt the adjusters in place. No torque value comes to mind. I'll research it though. On your backlash setting it is very minute. I've got to where i dont use the guage all the time. I just do it by feel. Once you've done a few you develope a sence of feel. If i do it for someone else i will guage em but for myself i can feel what i'm looking for. Sort a like petting a fly. A fine sence of feel is required. As far as a tool for the adjusters, i made two of em. I took a rod the right length and welded a hex bolt head on one end and then took an old socket and slipped it over the rod on the other end so the 3/8" drive would be exposed so as to accept a ratchet and they work great. The hex bolt head had to be ground down so as to get a good fit. Good luck and go ahead and dive into it. The bearings are difficult to get off unless you have that set of tools from Randy. Piece of cake if ya have em. As stated earlier, save the old ones and grind the inside out for future mock ups.
Small Block