How to adjust valves on A small blo

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How to adjust valves on A small blo

Postby h-bot » Sat Dec 08, 2001 4:32 am

From: dalejd1_REMOVE_227241_THIS_@yahoo.com


First get a set of the little deflectors that
keep the oil from spraying everywhere. ($6) Then make
sure the engine is warm. If its a hydralic cam take up
the slop in thevalve train by cranking the engine
over and screwing the nut down. Go about 3/4 turn
after the clicking stops. If your racing back the nut
out to the point where the clicking just starts. This
will give you about 200 more RPM. If its a solid cam
adjust the intake when the exhaust starts to close and
adjust the exhaust when the intake just starts to open.
Again if your racing tighten the lash about .005 from
manufactures recommendation. But these tricks are not for
daily driving. On the solid cam fooling with the lash
will tell you what the engine needs. If you tighten up
and slow down you might have too much cam. If you
loosen and go faster the cam is too big. Hope this
helps.


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How to adjust valves on A small blo

Postby h-bot » Sat Dec 22, 2001 10:52 pm

From: twelve_second_vega_REMOVE_727393_THIS_@yahoo.com


If you don't mind an oily mess, go ahead and use
this method. When you build as many SBC's as I do (and
most are benched then shipped away) you adjust valves
like GM does it. After six million small blocks, up to
and including factory HP's variants, they must be on
to something.

Bring #1 cylinder to TDC and
adjust the following valves by loosening the rocker arm
nuts until the push rod can just be spun with your
fingers, then tighten it until it just stops spinning. Now
tighten 1/2 turn:

INTAKES #1, 2, 5,
7

EXHAUSTS #1, 3, 4, 8

Now rotate the engine 180° to
bring #6 cylinder to TDC. Using the exact same method,
now adjust these valves:

INTAKES #3, 4, 6,
8

EXHAUSTS#2, 5, 6, 7

If you are building an engine,
adjust the valves begining with cylinder #6. Then, when
you roll it up on #1, you are also ready to drop the
distributor in place.

Use the exact same procedure
for solid lifter camshafts except substitute a lash
adjustment for the 1/2 turn from zero lash setting.


I hope this is helpful. E-Mail me at
'BigBadVoodooVega@aol.com' if you need more information.

Best of
luck with your project...Robert


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How to adjust valves on A small blo

Postby h-bot » Sun Dec 23, 2001 1:38 pm

From: dalejd1_REMOVE_959753_THIS_@yahoo.com


I have built a few also, starting in 61. I used
to carry a little card in my wallet with the No1 and
No6 method. Then in 63 I talked to Kenny
Harmon(Harmon@Collins) I am sure we all Know who he was. And he informed
me that if you had a hot cam with more duration than
stock the lifter will allready be on the ramp and you
will get a false reading. Those little deflectors work
half-ass and are cheap. Also the engine MUST be at
operating temp.


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How to adjust valves on A small blo

Postby h-bot » Sun Dec 23, 2001 2:36 pm

From: twelve_second_vega_REMOVE_473035_THIS_@yahoo.com


I have used this method with everything up to a
327/350 horsepower grind. Over and above that, I hit the
valves on each cylinder at TDC, solid or hydraulic.


I will agree with you that if you are up over 240
degrees @ .050" you could get a error on the adjustment.
However, this method still works well for most camshafts
in current (street) use.

In the pits, I am
done with adjustment before you have your little clips
on the motor. Either way, have a Merry
Christmas...Robert


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How to adjust valves on A small blo

Postby h-bot » Sun Dec 23, 2001 2:48 pm

From: twelve_second_vega_REMOVE_712265_THIS_@yahoo.com


I won by being quick, both in the pits and on the
tree. If you want to adjust the valves running, OK.
But, why not make it faster and easier?

Take 2
old valve covers and cut a hole in each one for each
rocker arm nut. Weld a small metal strip, about 1/4"
wide, along the top of the cover to deflect oil from
the pushrods.

You can also add a small hole,
or slot, at the top outside edge of each cover to
slide a feeler gauge in if you are doing
solids.

Cement a pair of rubber valve cover gaskets to
these and you are ready to go. The amount of time and
effort invested will pay off in big time savings in the
pits or in your garage. It is also safer from a fire
hazard standpoint.

You can slap these covers on
and adjust valves in minutes.

Even with very
large hydraulic camshafts, I adjust valves with the
cylinder on TDC, 1/2 turn from zero lash. I have never had
to readjust hydraulics.

Same method works
well on 351/429 Ford with hydraulics...Robert


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