Setting valve lash cold?

f250mike on April 4th 2011, 7:06 pm

I'm in the process of installing a solid flat tappet cam.
The cam specs call for lash at .018" intake and .020" exhaust.
What should I set it at cold so I can break the cam in?

mike

rmcomprandy on April 4th 2011, 7:12 pm

f250mike wrote:I'm in the process of installing a solid flat tappet cam.
The cam specs call for lash at .018" intake and .020" exhaust.
What should I set it at cold so I can break the cam in?

mike

Aluminum heads or cast iron heads...? Aluminum rockers or steel rockers...?

f250mike on April 4th 2011, 8:22 pm

Randy they are Dove iron heads with Harland Sharp aluminum rockers.

cool40 on April 4th 2011, 8:24 pm

.028-.030? just a guess,tell us Randy i cant remember. Question

richter69 on April 4th 2011, 8:38 pm

my iron head deal wanted about .002 less cold., I'd think it would be good enough.....break it in, recheck the lash hot, next time it you check it cold you'll have your exact number.

quick 52 on April 4th 2011, 9:37 pm

richter69 wrote:my iron head deal wanted about .002 less cold., I'd think it would be good enough.....break it in, recheck the lash hot, next time it you check it cold you'll have your exact number.

x2

rmcomprandy on April 4th 2011, 9:38 pm

f250mike wrote:Randy they are Dove iron heads with Harland Sharp aluminum rockers.

An iron head with aluminum rockers should be about the same: it might grow very slightly, (about .002" or so).

EDIT: To late, I see it has already been answered.

f250mike on April 5th 2011, 3:45 pm

Thanks guys
I've mostly worked with hydraulic cams and didn't want to chance wiping a lobe on this solid deal.
The cam has been degreed and P-V clearances checked. Everything is good to go.
If everything works out I may break the cam in this weekend.
mike

69F100 on April 5th 2011, 5:01 pm

Mike I broke mine in on .016 intake and .022 that is what the cam specs call for with just the outer spring on.Might not have been right but it worked out good on mine.This is my 1st solid lift cam also I am still learning I have always ran hydraulic. I need to heat mine up and check them Thursday afternoon before I head to the track Friday.

1fatcat on April 5th 2011, 6:28 pm

the recomended lash will be fine for the breakin . i set mine cold at the recomended also. it has lasted 15 years !!! i know a hot ajustment is better. with my iron head in my 69 cougar chassis a hot ajustment is very tuff . so after i checked the ajustment hot and found were they were , i have set them cold from then on.

342g on April 7th 2011, 8:44 am

How about a roller with iron heads, and steel rockers, card says 26, doesn't say hot or cold, set them at 22 cold?

rmcomprandy on April 7th 2011, 9:07 am

Setting the lash tighter is never MORE aggressive and is easier on valve train parts. Although it MAY cost a few horsepower, it might break fewer parts. Going looser is always the same or more aggressive and CAN go the other way but, maybe not.
That's part of what a TUNED combination is all about.
Then again ... it comes down to being all about your priorities.

342g on April 7th 2011, 9:14 am

rmcomprandy wrote:Setting the lash tighter is never MORE aggressive and is easier on valve train parts. Although it MAY cost a few horsepower, it might break fewer parts. Going looser is always the same or more aggressive and CAN go the other way but, maybe not.
That's part of what a TUNED combination is all about.
Then again ... it comes down to being all about your priorities.

I sure don't want to break any parts, is there some way to baby a set of old springs, I just want them to last, until the bash is over, then I am going to put the new heads on.

342g on April 8th 2011, 10:59 am

342g wrote:
rmcomprandy wrote:Setting the lash tighter is never MORE aggressive and is easier on valve train parts. Although it MAY cost a few horsepower, it might break fewer parts. Going looser is always the same or more aggressive and CAN go the other way but, maybe not.
That's part of what a TUNED combination is all about.
Then again ... it comes down to being all about your priorities.

I sure don't want to break any parts, is there some way to baby a set of old springs, I just want them to last, until the bash is over, then I am going to put the new heads on.

Randy, answer this question please, Ihave to set them, and I want to set the easiest on the springs.

rmcomprandy on April 8th 2011, 6:05 pm

342g wrote:
342g wrote:
rmcomprandy wrote:Setting the lash tighter is never MORE aggressive and is easier on valve train parts. Although it MAY cost a few horsepower, it might break fewer parts. Going looser is always the same or more aggressive and CAN go the other way but, maybe not.
That's part of what a TUNED combination is all about.
Then again ... it comes down to being all about your priorities.

I sure don't want to break any parts, is there some way to baby a set of old springs, I just want them to last, until the bash is over, then I am going to put the new heads on.

Randy, answer this question please, Ihave to set them, and I want to set the easiest on the springs.

I can't answer that with any kind of surety. There are simply too many variables.
Tighter than usual for that combination will be easier on parts ... how much is anybody's guess.

Setting valve lash cold?

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