Hi all,

even though it;s been sitting for a few months, was wondering what i should do regarding my freshly rebuilt 440. running comp cam 268 xtreme, rebuilt 452 heads cut 20 thou on the deck with mp springs up to .510 lift. have not presoaked lifters yet, stock rockers and stock Length pushrods. How do i go about checking the measurement between the rockers and the tip of the valve stem? i am assuming some form of shim will be required. This is all i have to tidy up before installing the valve covers and bolting on accessories before i get around to fitting it between the framerails of my 1955 Dodge 1/2 ton, and we will be moving in 4-5 months so lost left to do to get the truck rolling and able to transfer to our new place.

plus it's 5:30 pm here and still see some twilight..spring is on the way !!! YAHOO !

Thanks in advance ,
Derek

IMO If .020 is all you cut the heads and using OEM rockers and pushrods put it back together and don't worry about it. Many thousands of heads are trued that much and put back without problems.
As for presoaking your lifters it isn't a recommended practice by most cam manufacturers.

I hear you can usually cut up to .030 off your heads, much more than that is when you start getting into preload issues.

and i'm using the thick head gaskets, not the steel shim

Put it together and rest easy.

Your fine at .020 off the heads with no shaft
shim. With the fel-pro head gasket or equal
they are compressed at .040, steel head shim
is .020 so the end result is, your right back
where you started.

logan426

Many thanks for the reassurance guys! I'm getting nervous about gettip in a rd ung this all buttoned up in a reasonable time........as i mentioned we're moving, the truck frame needs to be boxed, rearend positioned and welded in, engine and trans placed and mounts fabbed, etc just to get it rolling so my inlaws can get it into the trailer and get it back home ! Cross anything you have, fingers, toes, etc !

Thanks again Moparts guys !!!!!!!!

Derek