valve lash question

Just got done with a head and cam swap in my truck. I've never run an adjustable valve train, or installed a cam or rockers, so I was looking for some feedback before I turned the key. Second guessing myself all over the place. Took me two days to figure out my pushrod length. I set the valve lash at 1/2 turn past zero lash (snuggged up the lock nuts until I felt a little resistance turning pushrods, hydraulic cam, lifters) on base circle of cam, then 1/2 turn past and locked them down. Is that the right way to do it? I'm super stoked and #@*# freaking out to fire it up. This will be my first engine with some real hp, not just a desmogged 460. Thanks for any feedback. Gary.

Normal street high performance hydraulic lifter pre-load is 1/2 turn more than 0 lash with aluminum heads and 1/4 turn past 0 lash for iron heads.

Thanks. Sounds like I need to loosen it up a bit.

78ranger wrote:Thanks. Sounds like I need to loosen it up a bit.

It can be slightly tighter ... just not less.

Is setting them all on the base circle of the cam when the intake is off the right place to set from? Seemed more straightforward as it was open and I could see it. I know the EOIC method, but that is just to make sure there is no load on lifters?

Sounds like you got it right.

Thanks guys. Guess I'll quit wondering and fire it up.

And we want to see the burnout too.

I would prime it, then turn it over with the ignition disabled and make sure the pushrod length, adjustment you have seems happy before flaming it.

FalconEh wrote:I would prime it, then turn it over with the ignition disabled and make sure the pushrod length, adjustment you have seems happy before flaming it.

X2 plus make sure you follow the cam brake in right so you don't wipe a lob on the cam

Yep. Primed it, broke in the cam, all good. This thing screams. Thanks for the help as always.