Reply to "Adjusting Solid Lifters"

Hi Russ,

The first thing I'd do is check those lash figures! Valve lash DECREASES when hot, so you should have less when the engine is hot than when cold.

My Compcams 282S solid lifter cam calls for 0.022" cold like yours, but 0.016" hot.

Valve lash setting is tedious, at least until you get the hang of it. I'm a rookie mechanic at best but even I can adjust my valves.

BTW, hearing a ticking noise may not mean that your engine needs adjusting - it may mean that your engine is perfect! Solid lifters make a tic-tic-tic noise, not unlike a sewing machine. If the ticking is not even, then you may have a valve out of adjustment.

If you haven't adjusted them recently it is worth doing. Adjustment will change as the valves recede into the heads (I'm told not something to worry about - they won't recede enough to do serious damage for zillions of miles).

If your car sounds like a 351C-powered sewing machine, then you are good to go. It also sounds a little bit like an exhaust leak at idle. Don't be worried by it - I kind of like the mechanical noise!

Listen to blaine's advice on how to set valve lash with only three engine positions instead of bumping the motor over for each cylinder. You may want to think about wiring a remote starter button in the engine bay to help bump the engine over.

Good luck!