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Old 08-14-2021, 03:59 PM   #1
jrvariel48
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Default Valve lash question

Gosfast (RIP Gary) built my motor. I noticed recently he has the valve lash listed as .009" Intake and .011" exhaust. Does this have anything to do with the degree of performance of the motor or is it based on the cam? I'm used to seeing .012" & .014" here on The Barn. The cam is an L100B from Kiwi.
Thank you Joe
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Old 08-14-2021, 04:14 PM   #2
tinkirk
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Default Re: Valve lash question

My personal opinion is unless you are racing a couple of thousand's is no big deal


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Old 08-14-2021, 04:15 PM   #3
KiWinUS
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Default Re: Valve lash question

Joe it should be .016. Both intake and exhaust
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Old 08-14-2021, 05:29 PM   #4
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Default Re: Valve lash question

The valve lash is typically based on the cam lobe's ramp configuration. The rate of lift is lower in the early portion of the valve opening event and the lash is taken up during this time. The amount of lift ground into these "quieting ramps" or "lash ramps" determines the clearance specs.
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Old 08-14-2021, 06:22 PM   #5
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Default Re: Valve lash question

Joe for most cams .012 to .014 intake and .015 to .016 exhaust my original cam Technique card shows the L-100 lash at .014 Int and .016 Ex. Looks like your clearance is a bit tight could be from the valve seating a bit since it was built meaning it would be tighter after running some.
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Old 08-15-2021, 05:31 AM   #6
jrvariel48
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Default Re: Valve lash question

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Thank you everyone for clearing this up. Is this something I should check or just leave alone?
Thanks Joe
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Old 08-15-2021, 07:20 AM   #7
Desoto291Hemi
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Default Re: Valve lash question

Gary was probably using a cold setting for his numbers and the cam grind .
.009-.011 would be about right cold,,,,after warm up it would grow to the .012-.014 number,,,or very close .
Gary was pretty sharp on his Flatheads .

Tommy
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Old 08-15-2021, 07:47 PM   #8
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Default Re: Valve lash question

Smaller lash setting will make the valve open earlier, stay open longer, close later.
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Old 08-16-2021, 09:25 AM   #9
tubman
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Default Re: Valve lash question

Quote:
Originally Posted by Anteek29 View Post
Smaller lash setting will make the valve open earlier, stay open longer, close later.
This is true. I found an NOS Engle roller cam for the hemi in my dirt modified. There was no cam card, so I called Engle. The tech there told me anywhere between .10" and .025 would work, and that the expert engine builders would use the final lash adjustment to fine tune the engine.

Last edited by tubman; 08-16-2021 at 10:41 AM.
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Old 08-16-2021, 10:21 AM   #10
Fred A
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Default Re: Valve lash question

I have asked lash questions before and because of the valve rotator issue, did not get a clear answer as the source of the cam is mostly a guess found in the 59A engine. Not anticipating a problem, I should have measured the lash as found. Only found an EA on the shaft of the cam but appeared to be reground as compared to another EA cam that I have. I proceeded to set the lash at the wideish '53-'54 spec of .018"/.015". I dare to horn in on the thread as the cadillac512 thoughts on the ramping being a characteristic of the grind. I'm a bit stuck as the engine is installed and ready to make noise. Can't see an easy way to a remedy without removing the heads. Fred A
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Old 08-16-2021, 05:47 PM   #11
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Default Re: Valve lash question

FredA-
I have degreed two "EA" cams and found the lash ramps to end just after the clearances you set yours to. (.013-.015 intake/.017-.019 ex) You should be just fine with the way you have it.



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