C2 - Mechanical Valve Adjustment Help

[R N.]

I would like to attempt to adjust the valves on my '66 L72 as I think they need adjusting. I pulled the valve covers off to check the casting #'s and dates the other day & I noticed the rockers seem very loose to me. Maybe they don't need adjusting, but nonetheless I would like to learn how to do this.

Can someone please explain the proceedure in layman terms (as I not that mechanical). Another problem, is I have the battery & tray all out of the car now, so, can I do this by turning the motor over by hand, etc. and which way to turn the engine.

From what I've read, .024" intake, .028" exhaust when hot. Are these the best settings? And... what should the gap be if adjusted cold?

As usual, thank you for your help.

[Duke W.]

Re: C2 - Mechanical Valve Adjustment Help

Send me an e-mail and I will return one with a MS Word attachment on how to adjust the valves on long duration OEM mechanical lifter cams. I recommend you set them and .020" inlet and .024" exhaust, cold.

The procedure ensures that the cam is on the base circle when you set the lash. Since some OEM cams have very long clearance ramps, you cannot set the valve lash with the cylinders at TDC of the firing stroke because one or both valves might be on the clearance ramp.

Duke

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 - Mechanical Valve Adjustment Help

Kurt - Good luck with setting the mechanical lifters. My 1963 327/340hp engine constantly need lifter adjustment. When I rebuilt the engine, I converted over to a hydraulic roller camshaft and roller rockers - what a difference! There is an article about my engine rebuild project in the April 2003 issue of Corvette Fever magazine on page 36.