Valve tappet clearances and procedure

1

1950F1

Member
I have just adjusted the adjustable tappets on my newly rebuilt 1950 v8 as follows: Intakes at .010; Exhausts at .014. Somewhere I read and took note that those clearances were good for all flatheads with stock camshafts, even though the book states wider clearances for the late 1949 and beyond. I am a little nervous about possible burned valves on a brand new engine - any comments would help.

Also, I used the method of adjusting the intake valve on a cylinder when the exhaust starts to open and adjusted the exhaust when the intake starts to close. Without a doubt the clearances obtained dping this are tighter than if adjustments are made at TDC. I Have really psyched myself out here and need some direction from someone with a little more experience than myself. Thanks Carl
 
Dunno about the clearance,But the way I do it is to turn the eng until the valve I want to adjust is fully open,then turn the eng ONE complete turn,adjust the valve clearance,then do the same for each valve.
It takes a bit of turning BUT at least you know that the valve is on the heal of the cam.
Also if its a new eng and you have the oil in ,it helps on the priming.
Lawrie
 
The following was extracted from My manual CD. It is applicable for 59 series engines.
To Space Valves

The following chart will
save much turning of the crankshaft and insures
push rod, Tappet, is resting on the heel of
the cam.

When these --------- Clearance or spacing
valves are------------- may be adjusted on
open -------------------- these valves
4X+1N ----------------- 3X 8N 6N 7X 3N 2X
3X+4N ----------------- 1x 7N 5X 2N 4X 1N
1X+7N ----------------- 8X 5N 6X 4N

X-Exhaust valve. Set clearance to: .014" to .016"
N-Intake valve. Set clearance to: .010" to .012"

Looks like your gaps are good.
 
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Thanks so much for your replies. Will use your method to recheck clearances and maybe loosen valves to upper end (012 and 016) to be safe regards, Carl
 
If doing them over is to get 12 and 16, don't bother. You will be fine with 10 and 14.
I do agree with Laurie as to method though. 100% sure of being dead on the heal of the cam. I suggest you do a quick check by his method to see if you are actually at 10 and 14, as you do not want to be tighter.
 
My concern is that I am hearing from 59a engine/cam folks that these measurement are fine but not the 8ba people. While the ron bishop books says .010 and .014, for all flatheads, Ford actually recommends no tighter than .013 and .017 repectively for 8ba's built afer mid year 1949 - and that is what am I doing up at 2:30 am pt. . .
 
green loctite on the lifter threads to lock. more green loctite to un-lock if re-adjustment is required.
 
lol, dont worry to much about the adjustments, with the adjustable lifters you will be resetting them in about 10,000 miles any way
 
1950F1 said:
My concern is that I am hearing from 59a engine/cam folks that these measurement are fine but not the 8ba people. While the ron bishop books says .010 and .014, for all flatheads, Ford actually recommends no tighter than .013 and .017 repectively for 8ba's built afer mid year 1949 - and that is what am I doing up at 2:30 am pt. . .
Click to expand...

Are you putting the later valve train in the 59A? I repeat my last.
 
The 49 through 51 Lincoln Mercury Overhaul Manual that I have shows the change in clearances to the higher level in 1951 when the rotator type valves were introduced. This always had me fowled up when I was a kid because the book just stated 1951 was different but it didn't explain why. Both of my 1951 Mercurys are early 51 models and have the same engine and transmission configuration as the 1950 Mercs did but the later 51s had the rotator valve set ups that required the change.

Kerby
 
That is absolutely correct! I have never been a fan of adjustable lifters.However,lately,I built a Model A engine.The valves I bought were too short and I am compelled to use adjustable lifters.The old,light weight lifters are best! James
 
Is the wider clearance for the rotater type valves due to the rotater valves, or due to the cam used with the rotater valves?
 
An old mechanic who had his own shop for years came by one time when I was putting the engine back in a 41 Ford 1 1/2 ton truck.He told me that in his younger days, he worked for a rebuilder in Garland,TX.He said they set the clearances at .015 on both intake and exhaust.This would be the later flathead with the side distributor.
 
ajohn said:
That is absolutely correct! I have never been a fan of adjustable lifters.However,lately,I built a Model A engine.The valves I bought were too short and I am compelled to use adjustable lifters.The old,light weight lifters are best! James
Click to expand...

In times gone past they used to build up short stems with brazing, then grind to tolerance.
 
19fordy,
Your numbers match the data on Van Pelt's site. Out of curiosity I wonder why the change from 59 and earlier series? Did the change to straight valve stems, valve rotaters or removal of valve seats drive the need for more clearance?
 
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