Solid Lifters Adjustment
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 653
Likes: 9
From: Ottawa, Ont. Canada
Solid Lifters Adjustment
How often does anyone have to adjust or check the solid lifters adjustments on their engines? I build the 265 in my ’56 and the 283 in my ’57 many years ago and never looked at valve adjustments since, I’ve had no reasons to check them, no problems of any kind.
Does anyone check theirs at some regular intervals?
Pierre
Does anyone check theirs at some regular intervals?
Pierre
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 15,408
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From: northern california
C2 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
With the engine idling, as long as the sound of the valve train seems to be uniform, with no single rocker arm making more noise than any other, I see no reason to make any adjustments.
Jim
Jim
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
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From: Greenville, Indiana
You've answered your own question. The best check is your ears.
Frequency would depend mainly on how many miles you drive, the condition of the locking rocker nuts and whether your thrash the engine will a lot of high rpm.
The state cops around here used to use '57 270 Chevys. From the sound of the engines in those things, it sounded like they never adjusted them. Sounded like thrashing machines.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
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Army
I try to adjust mine about every year or so ... which MIGHT be 3,000 miles or maybe less. I have it down to about 35 minutes (cold adjustment) including beer drinking so its no big deal. The last few adjustments I did had maybe 2-3 of the 16 valve settings requiring a 1/8 of a turn on the rocker nuts so not much is changing...I may go longer before the next adjustment....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 659
From: Puget Sound
I use sure-lock rocker arm nuts. In approx. 5000 miles, the adjustment is still perfect. When using them, the only thing that will change the adjustment is the stud pulling out of the head or the cam going flat.
Jim
Jim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 755
Likes: 8
From: delco pa
do teh lock nuts you use fit under stock valve covers?
thanks,
john
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Most of us Northern folks used to do their annual "tune up" after the spring thaw and the air started to warm up. We needed to be ready for summer vacation (families) or summer cruising (teenagers). And throw in a good wash and wax (Blue Coral) to remove the winter grim.
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