How much is too much

[forever4]

Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

I've had a couple of engines with wide valve clearances also. How does this happen? I would think the only change in valve clearance would be to a lesser clearance as the valve recedes into the seat. What am I missing?

The nose of the camshaft gets wiped off.
Typical, maybe more so on reground cams.

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/ruleofnine.htm

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/stipecamshaftspecs.htm

The links above show the original design gaps for various original and Stipe camshafts.