Zero valve lash for solid lifters?

FishFry

FishFry

Active Member
I'm thinking about valve lash settings a lot in the last time.
Given that on a 261 with solid lifters the lash gets wider when hot, I was questioning my self - why would you want anything more than zero lash (when cold)?

From what I know, hydraulic lifters always try to keep it zero lash, when the engine is running. So zero lash (or as close as possible) is a good thing - right?


With solid lifters we can't have that - the next best thing would be to set the lash to zero (cold) and live with whatever gap they end up when hot.

Did I miss something? Would there be any adverse effects?

Why is there a spec for anything more than zero (when cold) anyway, when the gap widens at operation temperature?
Why would I want a gap in the first place - what is it for?

Frank
 
NO, SET THEM TO THE CLEARANCE RECOMENDED ON THE CAM CARD
guesswork here can lead to rapid engine component wear under some conditions
if you don't know the required lash/clearance start with 20 In and 22 EX and call the cam manufacturer at the first opportunity
 
According to my cam card, it's .008 In and .012 Ex.
Just want to wrap my head around this, an understand why the gap for solid lifters (and yes, I understand how hydraulic lifters work).
When setting them hot - I get it - to compensate for the expansion, but when setting them cold?

Frank
 
solid lifters are not meant too , nor are designed too run firmly pressed into contact with the cam lobe as the lifters pass over the cams base circle
in fact some more modern flat tappet solid lifters have lazer drilled oil feed hole designed to flush that surface with a constant bath of lubricating oil, and adding a few thousands clearance on the lash allows lube to fill the void thus enhancing durability
Ive run solid flat tappet cams for decades, and no issues, the people I see having durability issues are the ones "TRYING TO QUIET, the damn thing down" by reducing the lash clearance

personally, I like the reassuring sewing machine sound the properly lashed solid lifters produce
 
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