Editing Valve train points to check

[[File:Valvetrain selection parts.jpg|thumb|440px|Selection of various valve train components]] ==Overview== The valve train is one of the most important segments of any engine build. There can be no destructive contact/collision between any part of the reciprocating assembly and the valve train. And contact between any castings and the valve train has to also be avoided. Clearances have to be established and checked to be sufficient with the engine under operation up to its design limit. <br><br><br> ==Things that affect valve train clearances== Many things can affect valve train clearances. When an engine is rebuilt or modified, often the block and/or cylinder heads will be milled to provide a flat surface with the correct finish for the head gasket to seal. If a different lift camshaft is installed, or if a different design or ratio rocker arm is used, or different length valves, resurfacing the valve and seats, different compressed thickness head gasket, changes to the stud boss height and/or installing guide plates or different design studs, lifter having a different measurement between the foot or roller and the pushrod cup, changes to valve spring installed height or diameter, or spring retainer and/or lock type, and different pushrod length all can change the clearances and geometry of the valve train. So if any of these things have been altered, the valve train clearance points need to be checked and verified to be correct. Manufacturing and tolerance stacking and wear can all change the exact measurements, so these things should be physically measured rather than figured using published figures. ==Valve train geometry== There needs to be a correct relationship between the components of the valve train to allow the efficient transfer of the cam lobe profile info into linear valve motion. This relationship is often referred to as the valve train geometry. On many OHV engines (like the Chevy V8) the geometry is adjusted by changing the length of the pushrod. A large number of variables are involved in determining the correct length pushrod for your application. Pushrod length is affected by any of the following: *Block deck height *Head deck height *Head stud boss height *Rocker arm brand/design *Cam base circle size *Lifter design/brand/pushrod seat height *Valve stem length *Head gasket thickness {{Note1}} More at '''[[Valve train geometry]]'''. ;Hotrodders forum threads<nowiki>:</nowiki> *[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/rocker-arm-199353.html Valvetrain geometry] *[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/mid-lift-rockers-206836.html?highlight=MID+LIFT+MILLER Miller mid lift rocker arm theory] ;Also see<nowiki>:</nowiki> *[http://www.lunatipower.com/Tech/Valvetrain/HowToVerifyValvetrainGeometry.aspx How To Verify Valvetrain Geometry] from Lunati {{Note1}} While opinions vary, many agree a '''narrow''' pattern is more important in many cases than a ''centered'' swept area, as long as the rocker tip is in no danger of riding off the edge of the valve tip. It is strongly suggested the subject of valve train geometry be researched until the builder is satisfied with their decisions. To check for the correct length pushrod for the application, often an adjustable pushrod is used. They can be easily made or purchased from cam manufacturers like Comp. A brief run-down on making your own is [http://www.homemadetools.net/forum/adjustable-push-rod-length-checker-5 '''here''']. ==Areas of the valve train that need to be checked and verified== This list is not all-inclusive. Not all points will apply to all engine builds. There is no substitute for physically measuring critical areas like piston-to-valve clearances or valve spring installed height and coil bind. For those measurements, do not rely solely on published figures.[[File:Spring clearance diagram1.jpg|thumb|upright=3|Valve spring clearances. Seal to retainer may be less in some cases]] *[[Valve spring installed height]] *Coil bind *Retainer to seal/valve guide boss at full lift *Retainer to rocker *Trunnion to stud boss *Piston-to-valve clearance (both before and after TDC on overlap). Also see [[Quench]]. *Push rod to guide slot in head (see image below) *Use '''EITHER''' self-aligning rockers '''OR''' pushrod guide slots in head '''OR''' guide plates, not two or more of these at the same time *"Rails" of self aligning rockers to retainer *Rocker to valve tip (by adjusting guide plates if used) *Rocker slot to stud (if using stamped rockers w/pivot balls) *Proper geometry *Rocker arm/polylok to valve cover or oil baffle *Camshaft endplay *Distributor shaft and gear endplay *Distributor gear material compatible with cam material *Mechanical fuel pump pushrod material compatible with cam material *Hydraulic lifter preload or solid lifter lash setting *Timing set phasing *Cam gear to crank gear alignment *Cam gear end play if roller cam *Cam gear to block casting/oil gallery plugs *Timing set to timing gear cover *If using the SBC OEM roller cam, lifters and retainers, the '''lobe lift''' must be kept below 0.354” so the lifter won’t lose contact with the retainers *Cam lobe to connecting rod on strokers [[File:Sbc prod guide slot.jpg|thumb|left|450px|Red arrows indicate the pushrod guide slot; slot needs elongating towards the rocker stud if 1.6 ratio rockers are used]]<br style="clear:both"/> ==References== ;Crankshaft Coalition wiki articles *[[Valve spring installed height]] *[http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Camshaft_install_tips_and_tricks Cam installation tips/tricks] *[http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Adjusting_hydraulic_lifters Adjusting hydraulic lifters] *[http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Timing_Tabs_and_Damper_TDC_Lines_SBC SBC timing tab/damper line differences] *[http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Cam_and_compression_ratio_compatibility Cam duration vs. compression ratio] ;Hotrodders forum threads *[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/difference-measured-vs-calculated-coil-bind-clearance-192254.html?highlight=between+single+coil Valve spring coil bind] *[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/rocker-arm-199353.html Valvetrain geometry] *[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/mid-lift-rockers-206836.html?highlight=MID+LIFT+MILLER Miller mid lift rocker arm theory] ==Resources== *[http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=90 Cam degreeing/cam install info] from GrumpysPerformance.com *[http://www.kmotion.biz/instht.htm Valve spring installed height] from K-Motion ==Calculators== ;Static compression ratio *[http://www.wheelspin.net/calc/calc2.html SCR calculator] from Wheelspin.com ;Dynamic compression ratio *[http://www.empirenet.com/pkelley2/DynamicCR.html Kelly calculator/info] *[http://www.kb-silvolite.com/calc.php?action=comp2 Keith Black calculator] [[File:Jessel mohawk AFR ford windsor.jpg]][[File:Comp roller 374 ford sherman.jpg]] {{newarticle1}} [[Category:Engine]] [[Category:Camshaft]] [[Category:Adjust valves]] [[Category:Good articles]] [[Category:Cylinder head]]

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