Reply to "Adjusting Solid Lifters"

Actually at one time a person could vary the clearance on solid lifters in order to gain torque (looser) or rpm (tighter). At least some of the racers would.

I run a solid lifter cam in my pantera and in my Shelby as well.

It is amazing how paranoid people get when they have solid lifters. Must be from running those Chevys with solids hey? (:

You can actually make your clearances plus or minus about .002" with most solids. The more radical the lift, i.e., .650 - .700" the more important it is to be on the manufacturers specs.

I set my lifters with the engine cold, and not running. I use the Ford Shop manual which shows what Blaine is talking about.

On a cold engine I add .001" to the hot specs. Of course it is important that you know how or when clearance is established.

It is established when you can turn the pushrod with your fingers.

Then when you tighten down the lock nut on the rocker arms you tend to gain about another .001" of clearance.

I suppose that it is possible to be exactly on the clearances but the reality is that you are plus or minus .001" no matter what you do.

Oh, and if anyone wants to attempt to do them hot, good luck. You do them with the engine off. You will still get burned or at least your fingers will and you need to keep the engine hot for the three hours it is going to take.

Charlie mentioned gaskets. If you use the aluminum valve covers you don't need any. Just use silicone "form a gasket material on them". Make sure that you surround each bolt hole optherwise you will leak through the bolt holes.