|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
11-06-2019, 09:40 PM | #1 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Long Beach, California
Posts: 26
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
Quote:
Here's a photo of an Offenhauser valve stem "Filing block" I have used setting valve lash [clearance] on a 220. The one on the left is adjustable and the one on the right is fixed. Offenhauser used a radiused "cup" over the top of the valve stem and with four valves per cylinder it can be very time consuming. |
|
11-06-2019, 11:00 PM | #2 | |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wa.
Posts: 5,423
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
Quote:
We use Offy cam grinds in flathead Fords sometimes. |
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
11-04-2019, 11:17 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: McMinnville, TN
Posts: 2,329
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
Bored,
While I’m not Pete I thought I’d share what I use. I use a tool made by Sioux that measure the exact distance from the lifter to the seat. I also have a gauge made by Kwik-Way that measures the exact valve stem length. I first use the Sioux gauge and measure the depth of all 16, and record the measurements. I then take a new set of valves and measure the new valve in the Kwik Way gauge and grind that exact amount plus my desired lash off in my valve grinder. I can usually grind all 16 valves and mark them and install and check and they are always spot on. Again I learned this from a master at this, Jay Temple. Sure makes a non adjustable valve job a breeze. FYI . If you have a valve grinder with the 45 degree “v” attachment, with a lot of math you wouldn’t need the Kwik-Way stems length tool. Unfortunately my grinder lacks such a attachment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Last edited by 35fordtn; 11-04-2019 at 11:25 PM. |
11-04-2019, 11:46 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Qld, Australia
Posts: 4,235
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
I also have a little holder the fits min my lathe, and after I measure the clearance or lack of , I slip the valve in the holder and using the compound slide take of the required amount from the stem,
I too use the factory lifters.and have the factory tools that measure the depth from the seat to the follower and another for the valve , but dont use them that much. Lawrie |
11-04-2019, 11:59 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: McMinnville, TN
Posts: 2,329
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
Lawrie,
That’s a good and likely more accurate approach. I’d assume your lathe doesn’t have a DRO, if your using the compound slide? |
11-05-2019, 02:16 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Qld, Australia
Posts: 4,235
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Lawrie |
11-05-2019, 02:38 AM | #7 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wa.
Posts: 5,423
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
|
11-05-2019, 08:31 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,240
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
Hey Pete . . . that "CrankaTalk" app of yours is really working well!
Thanks guys for the detailed explanation - it is something that folks new to flatheads and the associated valvetrain just don't learn or even know about these days. These grind/weld adjustment methods were what all factory engines and major rebuilders used back in the day. "Adjustable" lifters were an aftermarket item that cost extra money, added a lot of weight and sometimes had issues with the adjusters backing off and then having to be readjusted. But, Johnson adjustable lifters enabled many a backyard enthusiast to easily install a new cam in their engine - using normal hand tools. I'm sure "adjustables" have helped sell a LOT of flathead cams over the years! |
11-05-2019, 09:13 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: McMinnville, TN
Posts: 2,329
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
Question for those way smarter than I... over time what happens to the lash? I old timer came over the other week to borrow some KRW tools and made the statement that the lag tightens up over time due to valve seat wear. I would have thought both faces of the lifter and the camshaft wear would much exceed that causing the lash to open up a bit? Which is correct if either?
|
11-05-2019, 11:25 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,240
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
I think the answer is "it depends"! LOL
I tend to run high-lift and higher performance cams with small base circles and heavier spring pressure than stock. I also use very high quality valves. If anything, I've see the lash increase in these situations - maybe .001 to .002. Some aftermarket cams have a lot of break-in lubricant on them - which when it wears off, increases the clearances a bit. |
11-05-2019, 12:16 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: North Pole, Alaska
Posts: 2,667
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
So Pete, is there anything wrong with using mushroom valve stems and split guides? I have some new old stock stuff and thought about putting one together using those. This of course would be a stock motor, not high-performance.
|
11-05-2019, 01:43 PM | #12 |
BANNED
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wa.
Posts: 5,423
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
Nothing wrong for the original application.
|
11-06-2019, 07:41 PM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,240
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
Only you Pete . . . only you!
|
11-07-2019, 07:23 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 5,240
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
Yes - used to see the Offy's at both Joe Reath's and Joe Hunt's places. The valve guys at Reath's would bitch and moan about all the work it took to reach up inside the cylinders to do valve jobs . . . lots of time and $$$ spent.
As Pete noted, the idea of a "radius lifter" on the flathead really came from Offy from everybody I've ever talked too. Isky made an awful lot of 404-A cams . . . by using the Offy radius lifter idea (and Pete has too!) But what an engine . . . wish I had a big Offy - turbocharged and injected! |
11-07-2019, 09:26 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Schooley's Mountain
Posts: 530
|
Re: Flathead Valve Adjusting Methods ??'s
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|