valve adjustment
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valve adjustment
I just installed a new cam in my 351,put new heads etc. I just got it running and it sounds great. My question is will there be a great loss of power if I didnt get the valves right. Heres how I adjusted them, I first adjusted each valve so ther was no valve lash before I started it. After I got it running I backed each valve off until it started clacking then I tightened it till it stopped clacking, then I went a 1/2 turn tighter. I know if you tighten them too tight it will burn a valve. The small block fords you used to tighten a full turn after they stop clacking. Should I go a full turn or leave it alone. Its running great but Im also curious if it would have more power if the valves were opening a little more. I would appreciate any help
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the older motors had adjustable rockers cause i have a set of 69 heads that i'm not running and they are adjustable. i think you turn them down till they stop making noise then tighten them up....
Last edited by fordzman; Oct 14, 2003 at 08:18 PM.
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Im sorry I didnt tell you the specifics. Its a hydraulic cam and lifters. Yes the rockers are not original. The rockers that were on it were non adjustable. I had the screw in studs and the old style rockers so I could adjust them. I just want to know if its alright to run it where I have them adjusted. I dont want to rob myself of power. I also dont want to burn a valve. I just want to know how far to tighten the rocker after it stops clacking. I tightened it 1/2 turn more after it stopped clacking
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I like 3/8 to 1/2 turn on my own stuff. As long as I'm the one running it, I'll know if one is a little loose and I can tinker. But that's just me. I also like to run solids. (Lots of tinker time.) On a customer's vehicle that might not see much "play time", I'll go 1/2 to 3/4 turn. On yours, 1/2 turn will be fine (as long as the lock nuts hold).
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Thanks Macguyver,I appreciate it. I know on the old small blocks I always went 3/4 to 1 full turn. On my own I like a half turn,but like I say I went 1/4 turn and it sounded good and runs great. I was just concerned if I might be losing any power
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To make a hydraulic cam lose power because of the adjustment, you'd have to adjust the rockers so tight that the valve couldn't close or so loose that it couldn't open all the way. Anywhere else in the range of travel, the lifter just takes up the slack and keeps everything in the same relationship. It's not very critical.
One benefit of a "deeper" adjustment (closer to 1 full turn past clatter) is when the valves float when over-revved, the lifters will pump up, holding the valves open acting like a rev limiter.Depends on how tight you want to rev the engine.
One benefit of a "deeper" adjustment (closer to 1 full turn past clatter) is when the valves float when over-revved, the lifters will pump up, holding the valves open acting like a rev limiter.Depends on how tight you want to rev the engine.
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