hi, i was wondering if you can adjust valve lash on a hydrolic lifter and cam wiht a feeler guage? if so what should it be set to? thanks alot

 

could i use a .0015 feeler gauge and then just give it 1/2 turn to load it?

 

no, why are you trying to reinvent the wheel? there isn't anything wrong with the current method and is no more work or effort, actually a little less since you don't need the feeler gauge

 

You don't need a feeler gauge, because you adjust them to zero lash, then add preload. Adjusting them to some other lash just means you have to turn the nut that much farther to get the preload you want. Total waste of effort.

 

After many years, I came to like using a feeler gauge setting the hydraulic lifter equipped Chevy engines.

Lots and lots of lashing solid lifter set-ups gave me a "feel" for the feeler gauge.

When using the "spin the pushrod method", most times my fingers would be oily. I figured out I could get a better feel (especially with the intake on the engine) when the clearance was being checked with a .003 gauge. As soon as I got the .003 clearance, I then turn the nut 1/2 turn.

Not really much to worry over with hydraulic lifters, but I have fat little fingers and it just "felt" better, to me, using the feeler gauge.

jms

 

yeah. the reason i wanted to know was because i never seem to get it right the other way. and i always get oil all over and burn myself and its a mad dash to get it done before the engine bay fills up with smoke because it gets on my headers. so thats why. just wanted to try something different. i think ill try teh feeler gauge method. thanks for the info jms. ill try it.

 

I probably need to make it more clear.

I use the method I described with the engine off (not running).

jms

 

yeah, i figured that , my hands would get pretty hot if it was running

 

You sure would have an interesting time trying to get the feeler gauge in there with the engine running...