quick someone, what is it, and when does one need to do it?

 

Valve lash is the mechanical clearance between the cam lobe and valve stem or transfer rocker when the valve is fully closed.

 

Your Cleveland won't have adjustable rockers (unless you bought some), so you'll be doing a torque to spec.

You will want to make sure the valve train geometry is correct, however, since you have changed the cam. Basically, you want to make sure the rocker arm pressure point on the valve stem is centered through its travel. You'll also want to make sure that the torqued rocker arm doesn't push the pushrod too deep into the lifter. You want to be in the top half of the piston travel in the lifter or you may have problems...the most severe being bent push rods, burnt valves, etc.

From my experience, the cam you're getting won't cause any problems...but it's never a bad idea to double check these things.

 

thanks, after several times having to run around the city, i didnt get much today, and on top of that its pouring, well, tomarrow is another day.

 

Since the rockers aren't adjustable just use a good torque wrench and have at it.

You can turn the engine over by hand, or pull the coil wire and turn it with the starter, to prime everything and watch the valvetrain with the valvecovers off.

Justin

 

Just thought of something. Some cams are ground with a smaller base circle, if you get one of those, the pushrods will be too short. Be sure you dont have any play in the rocker arms when the valves are closed. they should rock a bit but not flop around.