Adjusting Solid roller valves...

[John S]

Is it better to adjust hot or cold? I have the engine hot, the valve covers are off and the plugs out. I dug out my cam card to verify the clearance and noticed that I had hand written .011" & .012 cold at the bottom of the card. I remember getting this number from Lunati when I bought the cam 5 years ago. On the card itself the valve clearance is listed as .016" for intake and exhaust. If I should do this hot then I have limited time in which to accomplish it tonight, otherwise the car will need to sit until tomorrow morning, but I would like to finish it and button it up tonight so I can take it out in the morning.
Thanks.

[Chevelle598bb]

.011 to .012 can be used as a cold lash until the motor warms to operating temp and then you can lash to the proper .016. .012 will get you close. Always lash at operating temp and you will always have proper lash. Some people cheat and set a tighter lash cold and call it good. That way is the lazy way and not perfect. Also doing it cold you can't use your lash as a tuning guide. Lash it hot and avoid possible valvetrain issues. Too many motors have come my way for rebuilding due to poor maintenance technique or complete lack there of.

[John S]

Thanks for the quick response, I went ahead and adjusted the valves hot to .016". Glad I did, 50% of the valves were at .020" or greater. Should be good and quiet now and it should run a tad better.
Thanks again!