The Ford Barn

MrModelT · 03-01-2018, 03:18 PM

I know this topic has been covered before and yes....its not a V8, but I some specific questions.

I recently saved a '54 Customline that has 223/3-spd combo. It's been sitting since 1978 so I decided to pull the head and go through the motor.

It's a 1963 223 (was swapped for the original at some point) so it has the later 1961-'64 "Silent Rockers".

How do I adjust them correctly. I know the specs, I just can't find any reference at all as to HOW to set them.....

Thanks!

~Mr. ModelT

paul2748 · 03-01-2018, 08:56 PM

You adjust them by the adjuster with the jam nut - I assume a solid lifter. Do you have a shop manual - this should tell you how.

Daves55Sedan · 03-02-2018, 12:58 AM

OMG, are you telling me there is a piece of rubber that gets sandwiched in between the rocker arm and the top of the valve spring assembly??? I knew that the later 223's had different heads, but I didn't know about that! I don't think I like that idea! Besides, the older 223's with the "hammer-head" rockers aren't that noisy anyway if they are properly adjusted. And with the older type, you can tell just by hearing the clickety-click of the tappets if you have one or more valves that need re-adjusting.

Crankster · 03-02-2018, 02:02 AM

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It sounds as if this engine uses solid lifters and the clearance is set to .019"

This is an important adjustment. The idea is that the lifter is on the base circle of the cam lobe when clearance or "lash" is set. A thousandth or two one way or another isn't the end of the world - but each lifter set accurately and consistently will contribute to the smoothness and quietness of the engine, and performance, to some degree.

Here is some discussion on how to with your particular motor: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...line-6.767124/

03-01-2018, 08:56 PM	#2
paul2748 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Midland Park, NJ Posts: 3,979	Re: 1954 Ford 223 Valve Adjustment... You adjust them by the adjuster with the jam nut - I assume a solid lifter. Do you have a shop manual - this should tell you how. __________________ 48 Ford Conv 56 Tbird 54 Ford Victoria

03-02-2018, 12:58 AM	#3
Daves55Sedan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Granite City, Illinois Posts: 3,008	Re: 1954 Ford 223 Valve Adjustment... OMG, are you telling me there is a piece of rubber that gets sandwiched in between the rocker arm and the top of the valve spring assembly??? I knew that the later 223's had different heads, but I didn't know about that! I don't think I like that idea! Besides, the older 223's with the "hammer-head" rockers aren't that noisy anyway if they are properly adjusted. And with the older type, you can tell just by hearing the clickety-click of the tappets if you have one or more valves that need re-adjusting.

03-02-2018, 02:02 AM	#4
Crankster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Posts: 563	Re: 1954 Ford 223 Valve Adjustment... Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It sounds as if this engine uses solid lifters and the clearance is set to .019" This is an important adjustment. The idea is that the lifter is on the base circle of the cam lobe when clearance or "lash" is set. A thousandth or two one way or another isn't the end of the world - but each lifter set accurately and consistently will contribute to the smoothness and quietness of the engine, and performance, to some degree. Here is some discussion on how to with your particular motor: https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...line-6.767124/