stock cam questions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Seymour Indiana
stock cam questions
My 77 is all stock besides carb. I am going to be changing valve covers soon, and I'm wanting to check the valve lash but want to know what its supposed to be set at originally in case its out of spec.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,428
Likes: 5
From: Japan
There are numerous posts/ threads beating the poor old "How to adjust the hydraulic valves on my small block Chevy" horse to death on this forum. I PERSONALLY prefer 1/2 turn past zero lash for my smallblocks; if you haven't already you will see opinions running the gamut from 1/4 turn to 1 full turn. Half a turn has always worked for me...
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
There has been many tales from backing off till it 'talks' by clatter and then tightening until it wheezes and then back off a 1/4 turn.
Nothing like setting valves on a old cut open valve cover spewing oil all over the manifolds /headers and causing a possible fire. Does anyone remember those small plastic oil reduction devices that would clip onto the rocker to reduce the oil from the push rod? Wow, $17.00 dollars I wont get back.
I take the valve to the 'top' as measured on the rocker arm and 'feel - twist' the pushrod for a recognize amount of resistance but not binding and then tighten 1/2 turn. We use studs and lock nuts.
I have ran a .533 lift flat tappet hydraulic cam to 6500 rpms over 750 times and had no valve train trouble using nothing more than Manley valves and GM Z-28 springs.
Dano,
Nothing like setting valves on a old cut open valve cover spewing oil all over the manifolds /headers and causing a possible fire. Does anyone remember those small plastic oil reduction devices that would clip onto the rocker to reduce the oil from the push rod? Wow, $17.00 dollars I wont get back.
I take the valve to the 'top' as measured on the rocker arm and 'feel - twist' the pushrod for a recognize amount of resistance but not binding and then tighten 1/2 turn. We use studs and lock nuts.
I have ran a .533 lift flat tappet hydraulic cam to 6500 rpms over 750 times and had no valve train trouble using nothing more than Manley valves and GM Z-28 springs.
Dano,
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
From: Stratford Ontario
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
I agree with all the posts on here, but my question is this, you cam is hydraulic and the only way for there to be a lash problem is if your lobes are wiped out. In this case you would need a new cam. Unless you have lifter noise there is nothing to be gained by playing with them. Hopefully your not trying to chase a problem here. I would leave them alone. The only reason that they are adjusted is to make sure they dont bottom out or come off the lifter seat.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
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