The Ford Barn

Fred A · 08-15-2017, 09:53 PM

Confused markings on new Ford cam for my 59A labeled EA and 8RT. It is for a two bolt distributor. My valve set is rotator type. Do I go with the valve settings for the rotators or the 59A? Pretty great difference. Thanks: Fred A

jetmek · 08-15-2017, 10:14 PM

Is that a NEW new cam IE: ISKY? Or a regrind? do you have adjustable tappets? Either way if you have adjustable Id prob set them for larger rotator spec .If noisey you can always close em up later

Fred A · 08-16-2017, 12:03 AM

It is a NOS Ford cam. It should be equal to a 59A even though it may have been manufactured as a service replacement because the core appears to have later markings but the nose is the short type for the two bolt distributor. It is clearly a new cam. Not clear if the cam dictates the lash or the rotators which in '52-'53 brought in added variations like auto transmissions and overdrives.
P.S.: I am using adjustable lifters.

flatheadmurre · 08-16-2017, 03:11 AM

Cam or valve itself isn´t setting the lash needed.
It´s more the engine aplication...heat generates the expansion.
I would go with the older narrow setting.

Frank Miller · 08-16-2017, 07:14 AM

Not sure what the difference is but if Ford opened it up for rotaters you might want to do that. If it is noisy after warming up then you can tighten it up. A tick will let you know the valve is seating properly. Silence could possibly mean it is not. The purpose of the lash is to get close to 0 when the motor warms up. Exhaust valves run hotter so they expand more, thus more clearance on them. The closed valve not only seals but also cools the valve, which is why you do not want them too tight.

rotorwrench · 08-16-2017, 10:03 AM

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Several things were going on when the rotators came out in mid 1951. All of the valve components, with the exception of the guides and maybe the keepers, are different. The new blocks started losing their stellite inserts when FoMoCo opted for plain cast iron for the seats. Some blocks had only the hardened exhaust seats but they were mostly for trucks. It's kind of a toss up as to whether the extra clearance was for the new valves themselves or for the lack of hardened seats. Softer seats would quickly loose a bit of clearance during operational service and they didn't go in there to adjust often. Only as required.

Ol' Ron · 08-16-2017, 10:37 AM

Valve lash is determined by the clearance ramp ground into the cam, Thus, it has nothing to do with the lifters or rotators, I use Rotators on the Max #1, works great. set spring pressure at #50.

Frank Miller · 08-16-2017, 12:15 PM

Ron made a point so I looked it up. Interesting.

http://www.sbintl.com/tech_library/a...valve_lash.pdf

rotorwrench · 08-16-2017, 12:34 PM

That was the only other change then in mid 1951. The EAA & EAB cam (1CM for Mercury). There wasn't a lot of difference between the pre rotator cam and the post rotator but there is a difference.

40 Deluxe · 08-16-2017, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Miller

Not sure what the difference is but if Ford opened it up for rotaters you might want to do that. If it is noisy after warming up then you can tighten it up. A tick will let you know the valve is seating properly. Silence could possibly mean it is not. The purpose of the lash is to get close to 0 when the motor warms up. Exhaust valves run hotter so they expand more, thus more clearance on them. The closed valve not only seals but also cools the valve, which is why you do not want them too tight.

No, a "tick" means it is too loose. As a kid in the '50's, when flatheads were still fairly new, I rode in many a car that was so quiet and smooth at idle that you'd think it had died. No "tick, tick, tick"! That's the way they came from the factory. That's the way they should be set when doing a valve job, too.

Frank Miller · 08-17-2017, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

No, a "tick" means it is too loose. As a kid in the '50's, when flatheads were still fairly new, I rode in many a car that was so quiet and smooth at idle that you'd think it had died. No "tick, tick, tick"! That's the way they came from the factory. That's the way they should be set when doing a valve job, too.

You're right. I just meant to start big and close as necessary. It gets muddy when you're using different parts and you're not sure. My point was the tick won't hurt the engine like the silence might.

Ross F-1 · 08-17-2017, 10:40 AM

No noise on my engine with the wider lash and rotators.

GB SISSON · 12-29-2017, 09:08 PM

Great to find this older thread!

08-15-2017, 10:14 PM	#2
jetmek Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: albany Posts: 466	Re: Which Valve Lash 59A/EAB Valve Rotators? Is that a NEW new cam IE: ISKY? Or a regrind? do you have adjustable tappets? Either way if you have adjustable Id prob set them for larger rotator spec .If noisey you can always close em up later __________________ engine and component overhauls my specialty! Website- www.godevilgarage.com

08-16-2017, 12:03 AM	#3
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Re: Which Valve Lash 59A/EAB Valve Rotators? It is a NOS Ford cam. It should be equal to a 59A even though it may have been manufactured as a service replacement because the core appears to have later markings but the nose is the short type for the two bolt distributor. It is clearly a new cam. Not clear if the cam dictates the lash or the rotators which in '52-'53 brought in added variations like auto transmissions and overdrives. P.S.: I am using adjustable lifters. Last edited by Fred A; 08-21-2017 at 08:27 AM.

08-16-2017, 03:11 AM	#4
flatheadmurre Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 3,045	Re: Which Valve Lash 59A/EAB Valve Rotators? Cam or valve itself isn´t setting the lash needed. It´s more the engine aplication...heat generates the expansion. I would go with the older narrow setting.

08-16-2017, 10:03 AM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Which Valve Lash 59A/EAB Valve Rotators? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Several things were going on when the rotators came out in mid 1951. All of the valve components, with the exception of the guides and maybe the keepers, are different. The new blocks started losing their stellite inserts when FoMoCo opted for plain cast iron for the seats. Some blocks had only the hardened exhaust seats but they were mostly for trucks. It's kind of a toss up as to whether the extra clearance was for the new valves themselves or for the lack of hardened seats. Softer seats would quickly loose a bit of clearance during operational service and they didn't go in there to adjust often. Only as required.

08-16-2017, 10:37 AM	#7
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: Which Valve Lash 59A/EAB Valve Rotators? Valve lash is determined by the clearance ramp ground into the cam, Thus, it has nothing to do with the lifters or rotators, I use Rotators on the Max #1, works great. set spring pressure at #50.

08-15-2017, 09:53 PM	#1
Fred A Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Encino California, near Burbank Posts: 935	Which Valve Lash 59A/EAB Valve Rotators? Confused markings on new Ford cam for my 59A labeled EA and 8RT. It is for a two bolt distributor. My valve set is rotator type. Do I go with the valve settings for the rotators or the 59A? Pretty great difference. Thanks: Fred A

08-16-2017, 07:14 AM	#5
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: Which Valve Lash 59A/EAB Valve Rotators? Not sure what the difference is but if Ford opened it up for rotaters you might want to do that. If it is noisy after warming up then you can tighten it up. A tick will let you know the valve is seating properly. Silence could possibly mean it is not. The purpose of the lash is to get close to 0 when the motor warms up. Exhaust valves run hotter so they expand more, thus more clearance on them. The closed valve not only seals but also cools the valve, which is why you do not want them too tight. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

08-16-2017, 12:15 PM	#8
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: Which Valve Lash 59A/EAB Valve Rotators? Ron made a point so I looked it up. Interesting. http://www.sbintl.com/tech_library/a...valve_lash.pdf __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

08-16-2017, 12:34 PM	#9
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,436	Re: Which Valve Lash 59A/EAB Valve Rotators? That was the only other change then in mid 1951. The EAA & EAB cam (1CM for Mercury). There wasn't a lot of difference between the pre rotator cam and the post rotator but there is a difference. Last edited by rotorwrench; 08-16-2017 at 12:40 PM.

08-17-2017, 10:40 AM	#12
Ross F-1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NM Posts: 2,438	Re: Which Valve Lash 59A/EAB Valve Rotators? No noise on my engine with the wider lash and rotators. __________________ '52 F-1, EAB flathead

12-29-2017, 09:08 PM	#13
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,934	Re: Which Valve Lash 59A/EAB Valve Rotators? Great to find this older thread! __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson) Last edited by GB SISSON; 12-29-2017 at 09:15 PM.