Richard150MPH
Veteran Member
Hope this does not start a major argument. Let's make it a poll!
Looking for the "Best" way to adjust the valves for my new cam.
Last time around I apparently left a couple too loose and did not hear the clatter with my bad hearing.
I have to set them with the engine not running until the cam is run-in.
Once it is run-in I can re-set them with the engine running.
I've looked at several methods.
One claims they may all be set using #1 and #6 TDC.
That is what I did last time and now I'm spending $500 and a few days fixing it.
Cam companies want to insist on doing both valves for each cylinder in turn.
That requires a lot of dry engine rotations, leaving me wondering if any break-in lube would remain on the cam and lifter faces.
The third option appears to be adjusting both valves by firing order every 90º of rotation.
I like this idea as it only requires two engine rotations.
I took the time to mark my balancer every 90°.
The method is, to adjust the valves start at #1 TDC and adjusted both I&E.
Then move 90° and adjust both on #8 TDC and move 90° again to #4 TDC, repeat through the entire firing order.
SBC firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
If it matters my cam is pretty mild as it's for a truck.
I don't build a lot of Chevy engines, usually four or six cylinder sports cars.
They usually make it easy as you can just look at the cam to set the valves.
Looking for the "Best" way to adjust the valves for my new cam.
Last time around I apparently left a couple too loose and did not hear the clatter with my bad hearing.
I have to set them with the engine not running until the cam is run-in.
Once it is run-in I can re-set them with the engine running.
I've looked at several methods.
One claims they may all be set using #1 and #6 TDC.
That is what I did last time and now I'm spending $500 and a few days fixing it.
Cam companies want to insist on doing both valves for each cylinder in turn.
That requires a lot of dry engine rotations, leaving me wondering if any break-in lube would remain on the cam and lifter faces.
The third option appears to be adjusting both valves by firing order every 90º of rotation.
I like this idea as it only requires two engine rotations.
I took the time to mark my balancer every 90°.
The method is, to adjust the valves start at #1 TDC and adjusted both I&E.
Then move 90° and adjust both on #8 TDC and move 90° again to #4 TDC, repeat through the entire firing order.
SBC firing order is 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2.
If it matters my cam is pretty mild as it's for a truck.
I don't build a lot of Chevy engines, usually four or six cylinder sports cars.
They usually make it easy as you can just look at the cam to set the valves.