Classic Mustangs List Archive

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I was having a heck of a time getting my valves adjusted correctly. My Ford shop manual said that I should tighten them 1 1/2 turns after removing all clearance, and the book "How to Rebuild Your Small-Block Ford" recommended 3/4 of a turn. I posted the question to the group, and I received all sorts of good advice. I found that tightening them 1 turn after removing all clearance seemed to work pretty well. The best advice I received was to start the engine and tighten (or loosen) the valve adjustment nut until the lifter was silent.

Another technique mentioned in the Ford shop manual was to collapse the lifter of the valve you're working on and then adjust for a specified clearance. To do this, you need a special tool that collapses the lifter. I did some hunting around and I have not been able to find this tool. Perhaps someone on the newsgroup can help you there.

Long and short, my take is that adjusting those hydraulic valves is more of an art than a science. But take heart, it's not rocket science and we're not talking about precision clearances.