Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? #2776938
05/22/20 09:01 AM
05/22/20 09:01 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
G
Guitar Jones Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Guitar Jones  Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
G

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
I didn't want to drive the hour to work and then an hour back to get my dial indicator, remove the valve springs and install the checking springs so I thought I'd just stack feeler gauges between the rocker and valve tip and see if the engine stills turns over with no binding at the critical points from 15* BTDC to 15* ATDC. And it does. I have .098 under the exhaust and .087 under the intake. I think I have enough clearance.

IMG_20200522_085114.jpg

"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"


'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon!
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: Guitar Jones] #2776939
05/22/20 09:03 AM
05/22/20 09:03 AM
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,496
Tulsa, Oklahoma
340Cuda Offline
master
340Cuda  Offline
master

Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,496
Tulsa, Oklahoma
I have never seen it done that way but it seems perfectly valid to me.

Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: 340Cuda] #2776940
05/22/20 09:07 AM
05/22/20 09:07 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
G
Guitar Jones Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Guitar Jones  Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
G

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Well I guess if you must know the exact number it would be very time consuming, but if you really only need to know that you have enough clearance then I think this worked.


"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"


'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon!
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: Guitar Jones] #2776941
05/22/20 09:07 AM
05/22/20 09:07 AM
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 350
Mequon, WI
G
gzig5 Offline
enthusiast
gzig5  Offline
enthusiast
G

Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 350
Mequon, WI
It should work, but are you sure you would be able to determine a slight interference? Say .005"? I'd be worried about something deflecting and allowing it to continue turning.

Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: gzig5] #2776943
05/22/20 09:16 AM
05/22/20 09:16 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
G
Guitar Jones Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Guitar Jones  Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
G

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Originally Posted by gzig5
It should work, but are you sure you would be able to determine a slight interference? Say .005"? I'd be worried about something deflecting and allowing it to continue turning.

I suppose I could continue to add a little at a time until it stops turning, but even if it were say .005 off I think I still have sufficient clearance. I've run my race engines much tighter than this without problems. The lifters are shimmed solid and the feeler gauges under the pedelstals are there to get zero lash.


"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"


'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon!
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: Guitar Jones] #2776993
05/22/20 11:55 AM
05/22/20 11:55 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,267
Morrow, OH
markz528 Offline
master
markz528  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,267
Morrow, OH
I have done it like that in the past but I used height checking springs and pulled all the spark plugs so that I had a better feel. You can bend a valve pretty easy if it hits.

Of course this does not work with hydraulic lifters.


67 Coronet 500 9.610 @ 139.20 mph
67 Coronet 500 (street car) 14.82 @ 94 mph
69 GTX (clone) - build in progress......
Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: markz528] #2776998
05/22/20 12:11 PM
05/22/20 12:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
pittsburghracer Offline
"Little"John
pittsburghracer  Offline
"Little"John

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,116
PA.
I do every single one of my builds this way and will be doing another one today. I sneak up on my total clearance. If my clearance is running close to minimum I will clay them up and check them that way because doing it the feeler gauge way changes the valve timing a few degrees.


1970 Duster
Edelbrock headed 408
5.984@112.52
422 Indy headed small block
5.982@112.56 mph
9.42@138.27

Livin and lovin life one day at a time




Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: markz528] #2777003
05/22/20 12:27 PM
05/22/20 12:27 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,478
So. Burlington, Vt.
F
fast68plymouth Offline
I Live Here
fast68plymouth  Offline
I Live Here
F

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 14,478
So. Burlington, Vt.
Originally Posted by markz528
I have done it like that in the past but I used height checking springs and pulled all the spark plugs so that I had a better feel. You can bend a valve pretty easy if it hits.

Of course this does not work with hydraulic lifters.


Unless you bottom the lifters out first.


68 Satellite, 383 with stock 906’s, 3550lbs, 11.18@123
Dealer for Comp Cams/Indy Heads
Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: pittsburghracer] #2777005
05/22/20 12:33 PM
05/22/20 12:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,963
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
gregsdart Offline
master
gregsdart  Offline
master

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,963
Frostbitefalls MN (Rocky&Bullw...
Do you check for lifter bleed down after you are done? If ther is any then subtract the lash you see at the base circle of each from your measured cleaeance.


8..603 156 mph best, 2905 lbs 549, indy 572-13, alky
Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: gregsdart] #2777013
05/22/20 01:12 PM
05/22/20 01:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
G
Guitar Jones Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Guitar Jones  Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
G

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
I shimmed a pair of stock rollers solid then shimmed under the pedestal to get zero lash. This also told me what the preload on the lifter would be. It' a tad light at .048 and .043. Hughes says .080 on these lifters so longer pushrods may be needed.
And yes, I had all the plugs out so I could feel it better.


"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"


'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon!
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: Guitar Jones] #2777152
05/22/20 06:57 PM
05/22/20 06:57 PM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
G
Guitar Jones Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Guitar Jones  Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
G

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Well it runs, didnt bang any valves. Lifters are noisy though I figured they would be. Ordered some longer pushrods but it runs good and everything works as it should. I dkn't think I can continue to run the 87 octane crap in it anymore as it diesled a little on shut off. Might get some colder plugs for it. It has some Bosch E3's in it now of unknown heat range.


"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"


'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon!
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: Guitar Jones] #2777278
05/23/20 08:04 AM
05/23/20 08:04 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,791
MI, usa
dvw Online content
master
dvw  Online Content
master

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,791
MI, usa
The only issue I see with this method is if the radial clearance was very close. Running clearance heated up could be too close?
Doug

Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: dvw] #2777280
05/23/20 08:18 AM
05/23/20 08:18 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
G
Guitar Jones Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Guitar Jones  Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
G

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
The pistons don't have valve reliefs, they are flat with a slight dish so not a problem on this engine but most valve reliefs are usually spec'd for what ever size valve they fit or for stock size valves.


"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"


'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon!
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: Guitar Jones] #2777313
05/23/20 09:45 AM
05/23/20 09:45 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,916
NC
440Jim Offline
I Live Here
440Jim  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,916
NC
Originally Posted by Guitar Jones
I shimmed a pair of stock rollers solid then shimmed under the pedestal to get zero lash. This also told me what the preload on the lifter would be. It' a tad light at .048 and .043. Hughes says .080 on these lifters so longer pushrods may be needed.
And yes, I had all the plugs out so I could feel it better.
Wow, removed lifters and shimmed, removed rockers and shimmed, etc.
I would have driven to work and back to get the dial indicator. The time spent taking the motor apart and putting it back to together correctly is worth considering.

That said, you are close and should be OK, just don't float the valves with RPM.


1993 Daytona, 5.50 at 130mph (1/8) 1.19 sixty ft (PG). Link to 572 B1 - Part 1
Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: 440Jim] #2777381
05/23/20 02:29 PM
05/23/20 02:29 PM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
G
Guitar Jones Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
Guitar Jones  Offline OP
Paddle faster! I hear banjo music!
G

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,600
in a cattle trailer down by th...
Originally Posted by 440Jim
Originally Posted by Guitar Jones
I shimmed a pair of stock rollers solid then shimmed under the pedestal to get zero lash. This also told me what the preload on the lifter would be. It' a tad light at .048 and .043. Hughes says .080 on these lifters so longer pushrods may be needed.
And yes, I had all the plugs out so I could feel it better.
Wow, removed lifters and shimmed, removed rockers and shimmed, etc.
I would have driven to work and back to get the dial indicator. The time spent taking the motor apart and putting it back to together correctly is worth considering.

That said, you are close and should be OK, just don't float the valves with RPM.

Lol, it was already apart except I had already bolted the heads back on thinking I was going to use a smaller cam, but the bigger cam showed up Friday and the smaller one did not and probably won't until Tuesday or Wednesday. I really needed to get this truck running so I figured I'd give it a try. Didn't really have anything better to do and the drive to work is excruciating even at 4 in the morning so...But it runs great, I can't complain, but probably will anyway. laugh2


"Follow me the wise man said, but he walked behind"


'92 D250 Club Cab CTD, 47RH conversion, pump tweaks, injectors, rear disc and hydroboost conversion.
'74 W200 Crew Cab 360, NV4500, D44, D60 and NP205 divorced transfer case. Rear disc and hydroboost coming soon!
2019 1500 Long Horn Crew Cab 4WD, 5.7 Hemi.
Re: Any problem checking piston-valve clearance this way? [Re: Guitar Jones] #2777601
05/24/20 07:34 AM
05/24/20 07:34 AM
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,791
MI, usa
dvw Online content
master
dvw  Online Content
master

Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 9,791
MI, usa
Originally Posted by Guitar Jones
The pistons don't have valve reliefs, they are flat with a slight dish so not a problem on this engine but most valve reliefs are usually spec'd for what ever size valve they fit or for stock size valves.

But not all. If its a custom piston the configuration could be tight in this area. In your case this method wouldn't worry me. But I wouldn't use this method ( or dial indicator either) as gospel. Especially if cam timing may be moved around.
Doug







Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1