What should I set my valve clearance at. I have a B cam, adjustable lifters, stock valves, and police head, bored .0100 , over. thanks for the help, steve
The Model A & B use the same intake valve clearance of 0.010" to 0.013". The Model A exhaust valve clearance is 0.015" to 0.017". The Model B exhaust valve clearance is 0.020" to 0.022". These clearance values are from the Ford Service Bulletin of August, 1932, Page 43. I run my Model B engines having modern stainless steel valves with the Model A clearance values.
The clearance is determined by the cam design. Some cams have a slight ramp that closes up the gap before the valve starts to open. There can also be a ramp on the closing side. These cams can use a larger clearance. Other cams do not have this ramp. Those cams use a smaller clearance.
I had my stock cam reground, the paperwork that came back with my cam specified to set the valves to .010. I also installed all new valvetrain components (modern setup), at the same time.
Further on what Bob and nk said, unless the cam shop that ground your cam specifies otherwise, I’d go with stock Model B specs (0.010–0.013 intake, 0.020-0.022 exhaust).