C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Dumb Valve Lash Question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 11, 2020 | 05:42 PM
  #1  
dshawster's Avatar
dshawster
Thread Starter
Instructor
Liked
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 133
Likes: 12
From: Maple Valley WA
Default Dumb Valve Lash Question

I'm getting my rebuilt motor ready for install and went to check the valve lash, most of the rockers are loose which got me wondering. Do I need to get some oil in the lifters before setting the lash?
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2020 | 06:03 PM
  #2  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

No...just make sure the up/down slop is out of the pushrod then give the 3/4 turn preload.
They can bleed down and when checking to see if the pushrod spins sometimes push the plunger down unnoticed
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2020 | 06:57 PM
  #3  
dshawster's Avatar
dshawster
Thread Starter
Instructor
Liked
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 133
Likes: 12
From: Maple Valley WA
Default

Originally Posted by cv67
No...just make sure the up/down slop is out of the pushrod then give the 3/4 turn preload.
They can bleed down and when checking to see if the pushrod spins sometimes push the plunger down unnoticed
Thanks for reply, just wanted to make sure!
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2020 | 07:25 PM
  #4  
firstgenaddict's Avatar
firstgenaddict
Burning Brakes
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 410
Default

Originally Posted by dshawster
I'm getting my rebuilt motor ready for install and went to check the valve lash, most of the rockers are loose which got me wondering. Do I need to get some oil in the lifters before setting the lash?

The instructions given were for a hydraulic cam...
If you have solid lifters you have to set them using feeler gauges and make sure the lifter is on the base circle.
Reply
Old Sep 11, 2020 | 08:09 PM
  #5  
dshawster's Avatar
dshawster
Thread Starter
Instructor
Liked
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 133
Likes: 12
From: Maple Valley WA
Default

Yes, hydraulic lifters
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2020 | 10:50 AM
  #6  
7t9l82's Avatar
7t9l82
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Every time I see a thread on adjusting lifters I think how much better big and. Small block Mopars have it. Just bolt the shaft down. Why chevy, WHY? LOL

Last edited by 7t9l82; Sep 12, 2020 at 10:51 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2020 | 03:05 PM
  #7  
Jebbysan's Avatar
Jebbysan
Dr. Detroit
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Default

Originally Posted by 7t9l82
Every time I see a thread on adjusting lifters I think how much better big and. Small block Mopars have it. Just bolt the shaft down. Why chevy, WHY? LOL
I am installing Mopar adjustable rockers on a 340 this coming weekend........

Jebby
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2020 | 03:28 PM
  #8  
7t9l82's Avatar
7t9l82
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by Jebbysan
I am installing Mopar adjustable rockers on a 340 this coming weekend........

Jebby
Yeah there are those. An my old max wedge. And Hemi cars were adjustable too. But somehow even those were easier.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 11:33 AM
  #9  
sbdrgrcr's Avatar
sbdrgrcr
1st Gear
 
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Default

factory settings for hydraulic lifters require for engine to be at operating temp and running. loosen rocker until noisy then tighten until just quiet. this will set lifter to zero lash.
one turn tighter from zero lash to preload lifter.
some folks will modify an old set of valve covers by cutting open the top to gain access for adjustment. I have a set of clips that cover the oil hole in the rocker to deflect oil spray.
also I adjust preload from 1/4 to 1/2 turn, never have had any luck with a full turn.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 11:36 AM
  #10  
walleyfisher's Avatar
walleyfisher
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,686
Likes: 2,250
From: north of Chicago
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Winner -- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by sbdrgrcr
factory settings for hydraulic lifters require for engine to be at operating temp and running. loosen rocker until noisy then tighten until just quiet. this will set lifter to zero lash.
one turn tighter from zero lash to preload lifter.
some folks will modify an old set of valve covers by cutting open the top to gain access for adjustment. I have a set of clips that cover the oil hole in the rocker to deflect oil spray.
also I adjust preload from 1/4 to 1/2 turn, never have had any luck with a full turn.
same here
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 11:37 AM
  #11  
lars's Avatar
lars
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Default

Originally Posted by sbdrgrcr
factory settings for hydraulic lifters require for engine to be at operating temp and running. loosen rocker until noisy then tighten until just quiet. this will set lifter to zero lash.
one turn tighter from zero lash to preload lifter.
The factory never set valve lash on a hot engine. Valve lash was set on a cold, freshly-built engine during cold engine assembly, and was never re-adjusted again. There is no good reason to set hot lash on a hydraulic-cammed engine.

Lars

Last edited by lars; Sep 16, 2020 at 11:38 AM.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 11:39 AM
  #12  
walleyfisher's Avatar
walleyfisher
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,686
Likes: 2,250
From: north of Chicago
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Winner -- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by lars
The factory never set valve lash on a hot engine. Valve lash was set on a cold, freshly-built engine during cold engine assembly, and was never re-adjusted again. There is no good reason to set hot lash on a hydraulic-cammed engine.

Lars
Maybe so, but if you do it our way, you will only have to do it once (less chance of mistake)
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 12:40 PM
  #13  
7t9l82's Avatar
7t9l82
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

How do you get an engine running so you can set them hot? Ridiculous, Lars is 100% correct
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 12:48 PM
  #14  
Jebbysan's Avatar
Jebbysan
Dr. Detroit
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Default

Originally Posted by walleyfisher
Maybe so, but if you do it our way, you will only have to do it once (less chance of mistake)
And if you pay attention when the engine is on the stand....you only have to do it once as well.....
Not only is setting while running not preferred....you can end up with lifters that are plunged all different depths.....
Solids have to be set cold....so what it the difference? One you use a feeler gauge and the other you set the plunger depth....how do you set exact plunger depth on 16 valves? With Poly-Locs....and I have covered the procedure a dozen times on this forum....I haven’t “wiggled” a pushrod in 20 years because you do not have to.....
Not ONE professional engine builder sets hydraulic lash running and neither should you.

Jebby
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 01:08 PM
  #15  
lars's Avatar
lars
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
Photogenic
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,380
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Default

Originally Posted by Jebbysan
Not ONE professional engine builder sets hydraulic lash running and neither should you. Jebby
...and nobody sets them on a hot engine, either. Valves are set cold on a non-running engine. No professional engine builder or racer sets valves hot and running.
Lars
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 01:12 PM
  #16  
Jebbysan's Avatar
Jebbysan
Dr. Detroit
Supporting Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
Default

Originally Posted by lars
...and nobody sets them on a hot engine, either. Valves are set cold on a non-running engine. No professional engine builder or racer sets valves hot and running.
Lars
Only time when hot is when they are checked to see if anything moved......between rounds.....a huge tell to the savvy builder for valvetrain health. And then they are just checked to see if they are the same.

Jebby

Reply
Old Sep 16, 2020 | 01:28 PM
  #17  
walleyfisher's Avatar
walleyfisher
Race Director
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 10,686
Likes: 2,250
From: north of Chicago
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C7 of the Year Winner -- Modified
2020 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Originally Posted by Jebbysan
And if you pay attention when the engine is on the stand....you only have to do it once as well.....
.I haven’t “wiggled” a pushrod in 20 years because you do not have to.....
Not ONE professional engine builder sets hydraulic lash running and neither should you. Jebby
We are all not professionals like you. Old school ways were to spin pushrod until resistance was felt and add 3/4 turn. In my case this was close enough to start and break in cam. (I used to) have the modified valve covers and would "reset" the lifter while hot motor running. Never had a noisy lifter under acceleration or idle. not sayin your way is wrong, I just was not able to use it successfully


Originally Posted by Jebbysan
Not only is setting while running not preferred....you can end up with lifters that are plunged all different depths.....
Solids have to be set cold.... Jebby
My motor was assembled by a local major stock car / sprint car motor builder 20 years ago.
Full roller setup solid roller lifters, rockers. When I picked up my motor it was never started. He told me he set it statically but after first start up he gave me the gap spec for the setting valve lash with motor hot, .016 intake, .018 exhaust. being my motor has been together so long it must be correct info. Once a year I go thru this process (correct gaped sold roller setup is clicky by nature)
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Dumb Valve Lash Question

Old Sep 16, 2020 | 07:17 PM
  #18  
71chimera's Avatar
71chimera
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 881
Likes: 113
Default

some 50 years back, had a 1200cc toyota 3kc with pushrods, shaft rockers & solids. Even w/ a crane hot regrind, milled head & mini-lites it was underwhelming.
Before that, it was a lotus cortina; fugly but a right snappy sleeper. Unbeknownst to me, suppose I may've been one of the earliest of "tuners" around those parts.
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2020 | 12:35 PM
  #19  
kodpkd's Avatar
kodpkd
Le Mans Master
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 5,481
Likes: 2,190
From: Loveland
Default

Someone reply on the setting for just a local city driver, not going to race my car, plz. 68 327 350 HP.
Reply
Old Oct 1, 2020 | 12:44 PM
  #20  
73racevette's Avatar
73racevette
Pro
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 502
Likes: 103
From: Reno Nevada
Default

Originally Posted by kodpkd
Someone reply on the setting for just a local city driver, not going to race my car, plz. 68 327 350 HP.
All the same rules apply that have been mentioned in this thread.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:15 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE