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Adjusting Valve Lash - 351w

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Old 01-07-2012, 03:50 PM
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4reboy
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Default Adjusting Valve Lash - 351w

Hey everyone, long time no post.

I wanted to re-lash my valves as I believe they haven't been done after the rebuild break in period years ago. I'm pretty sure my car has solid lifters, can anyone verify this for me with the pictures below? The pics are from a long time ago, so I'm sorry they aren't of better quality.

Now, once I know what lifters I have, how do I go about setting the lash? I bought a feeler gauge and will be changing my spark plugs at the same time which will make the engine easier to turn over (unless I need to do this with the engine running? I prefer the engine cold method so I don't have a mess to clean up).

What is the spec for the valve lash measurement?

If anyone can answer these questions for me and possibly provide a step-by-step instruction it would be extremely appreciated. Thanks, hope everyone has been doing well!

-David





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Old 01-07-2012, 07:29 PM
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Randys66gt
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David, from the looks of it, they look like stock heads which have pressed in studs like you have and if the nuts are 5/16, most likely stock which were non-adjustable. Honestly, get a straight edge and put it across the studs, sounds like some of them are pulling out. That means either new heads or have them machined for screw in studs and guide plates.
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Old 01-07-2012, 11:09 PM
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4reboy
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Huh? Those pictures are from a fresh rebuild, why would I need new heads? Are you saying that if the studs are non-adjustable then I can't lash the valves?

I'm just asking what lifters I have, how to lash them, and the spec for the lash
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Old 01-08-2012, 01:57 AM
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rmodel65
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do you have a shoulder like this on your rocker studs?



if you do then your valves are not adjustable...you just torque them to specs
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Old 01-08-2012, 02:27 AM
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4reboy
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Based on this old picture I have of before the rebuild, it looks like that's what I have. I'm fairly positive the studs weren't replaced in the rebuild since the heads remained stock.



Looks like I'll check the torque on them. What is the torque measurement? I don't have my guides up at school with me. And is it common for the valves to have to be re-torqued after a bunch of driving? I'm not even sure if there is a problem there, I've just been trying to do some maintenance and that is about the only thing I haven't done or had experience with.

Thanks for your help rmodel and Randys66gt
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Old 01-08-2012, 09:18 AM
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JMD
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Stock, your engine would have had non-adjustable rockers and hydraulic lifters.

It all still looks that way to me, if so, unless you are experiencing valve train noise etc., you won't need to, or even want to, perform any maintenance here.

Like the commercial says, "set it and forget it",,,,, (and that has already been done)
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