The Ford Barn

imacrazy · 07-26-2018, 05:54 PM

I have read and heard the valve settings from 12 to 16 thousands
on the model a engine. Could you please enlighten me on the correct settings.
Thank you for your response.
Bill

gustafson · 07-26-2018, 06:00 PM

people are all over the map on this. A few on here use .020 and swear by it, do a search. There is a guy from Alabama or Arkansas or somewhere that does this

The factory settings with todays materials are way too tight and you will burn your valves

Pete · 07-26-2018, 11:47 PM

The model A cam was of antique design called the 3 arc design.
It has no clearance ramps like a modern polynomial design cam.
You can set the clearances to any number you want between .012 and .020
and it will run fine forever. Whatever you choose, give the exhaust .002 more than the intake.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-27-2018, 07:56 AM

Believe me, "DOING A VALVE JOB ON A MODEL A, IS A BIG JOB"!!---So don't ever set them TOO TIGHT!
If it ticks a little, tell them, "It runs well, just like a SEWING MACHINE"!
Bill W.

Jim Brierley · 07-27-2018, 11:46 AM

Pete and I both grind cams, he knows what he is talking about! I recommend .012" intake and .014" exhaust.

Patrick L. · 07-27-2018, 02:15 PM

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It appears there a number of different lash settings floating around out there ranging from .012"- .022" depending on the year and camshaft being used. So its to know what camshaft is in the vehicle, but, thats hard to know or figure out at times.

For the way most As are run today I doubt it matters too much where they are set as long as there is enough lash. If I remember correctly the B cam specs for the higher [ .022"] lash was on the exhausts. I guess some valves burnt on the early ones with closer settings.

I prefer to hear some lash than not. If you can hear them then they are more apt to seal and not burn. Thats just opinion for what its worth.

Mine happens to have the original cam and lifters, as far as I know. Lash was .016-.017" when I got it in '75 and they haven't moved.
The few other cars I've checked and/or adjusted may have moved over time, but, I didn't know for sure just how/where they were initially set.

07-26-2018, 05:54 PM	#1
imacrazy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 163	Valve Settings I have read and heard the valve settings from 12 to 16 thousands on the model a engine. Could you please enlighten me on the correct settings. Thank you for your response. Bill

07-26-2018, 06:00 PM	#2
gustafson BANNED Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 128	Re: Valve Settings people are all over the map on this. A few on here use .020 and swear by it, do a search. There is a guy from Alabama or Arkansas or somewhere that does this The factory settings with todays materials are way too tight and you will burn your valves

07-26-2018, 11:47 PM	#3
Pete Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wa. Posts: 5,408	Re: Valve Settings The model A cam was of antique design called the 3 arc design. It has no clearance ramps like a modern polynomial design cam. You can set the clearances to any number you want between .012 and .020 and it will run fine forever. Whatever you choose, give the exhaust .002 more than the intake. Last edited by Pete; 07-27-2018 at 03:15 PM.

07-27-2018, 07:56 AM	#4
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Valve Settings Believe me, "DOING A VALVE JOB ON A MODEL A, IS A BIG JOB"!!---So don't ever set them TOO TIGHT! If it ticks a little, tell them, "It runs well, just like a SEWING MACHINE"! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 07-27-2018 at 08:54 AM.

07-27-2018, 11:46 AM	#5
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,088	Re: Valve Settings Pete and I both grind cams, he knows what he is talking about! I recommend .012" intake and .014" exhaust.

07-27-2018, 02:15 PM	#6
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Valve Settings Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It appears there a number of different lash settings floating around out there ranging from .012"- .022" depending on the year and camshaft being used. So its to know what camshaft is in the vehicle, but, thats hard to know or figure out at times. For the way most As are run today I doubt it matters too much where they are set as long as there is enough lash. If I remember correctly the B cam specs for the higher [ .022"] lash was on the exhausts. I guess some valves burnt on the early ones with closer settings. I prefer to hear some lash than not. If you can hear them then they are more apt to seal and not burn. Thats just opinion for what its worth. Mine happens to have the original cam and lifters, as far as I know. Lash was .016-.017" when I got it in '75 and they haven't moved. The few other cars I've checked and/or adjusted may have moved over time, but, I didn't know for sure just how/where they were initially set.