the accual truely corect was to ajust your valves is to take your engine in this case its a sbc on numbe one cylender turn crank to tdc both valves should be closed take and lossen the ajustment nut then roll the pushrod with you thumb and index finger as you tighten the ajustment nut you will eventually feel a lil bit of resistence at that point stop that is what is called zero clearence after that point turn it 1/2 turn if you want it to rev higer with out floting the valves as fast make it a 1/4 turn but at 1/4 turn you will have to ajust it again in a few months after you get numbe 1 done just turn the crank 1/4 turn and go in the fireing order to that cylnder and repete process

that is the acuall way the listening to the ticking can get you off a 1/2 round or so..... and this way you dont get oil all over your beutifull baby you call your ride

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mechanic 9 years