Valve train points to check

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[[File:Jessel mohawk AFR ford windsor.jpg]][[File:Comp roller 374 ford sherman.jpg]]
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[[File:Valvetrain selection parts.jpg|thumb|440px|Selection of various valve train components]]
 
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==Overview==
 
==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.  
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The valve train is one of the most important segments of any engine build. Obviously there can be no destructive contact/collision between any part of the reciprocating assembly or engine castings and the valve train. Besides avoiding physical contact, there are also minimum and maximum clearances that have to be established and checked to be sufficient.
  
 
==Things that affect valve train clearances==
 
==Things that affect valve train clearances==
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==Valve train geometry==
 
==Valve train geometry==
There needs to be a correct relationship between the components of the valve train to allow an efficient transfer of the cam lobe information into valve motion. This relationship is often referred to as the valve train geometry. On many OHV engines 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:  
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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:  
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*Block deck height
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*Head deck height
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*Head stud boss height
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*Rocker arm brand/design
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*Cam base circle size
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*Lifter design/brand/pushrod seat height
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*Valve stem length
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*Head gasket thickness
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{{Note1}} More at '''[[Valve train geometry]]'''.
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;Hotrodders forum threads<nowiki>:</nowiki>
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*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/rocker-arm-199353.html Valvetrain geometry]
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*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/mid-lift-rockers-206836.html?highlight=MID+LIFT+MILLER Miller mid lift rocker arm theory]
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;Also see<nowiki>:</nowiki>
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*[http://www.lunatipower.com/Tech/Valvetrain/HowToVerifyValvetrainGeometry.aspx How To Verify Valvetrain Geometry] from Lunati
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{{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.
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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==
 
==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]]
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This list is not all-inclusive. Not all areas will apply to all engines and/or builds.<br> {{Note1}}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]]
*Spring installed height
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*'''[[Valve spring tech|Valve spring specs]]'''
*Coil bind
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**Valve spring rate
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**Installed height
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**Coil bind
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*[[Valve train points to check#Valve train geometry|'''Correct geometry''']]
 
*Retainer to seal/valve guide boss at full lift
 
*Retainer to seal/valve guide boss at full lift
 
*Retainer to rocker
 
*Retainer to rocker
*Trunnion to stud boss
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*Rocker trunnion (roller rockers) or pivot ball/rocker body (stamped steel rockers) to stud boss
*Piston-to-valve clearance (both before and after TDC on overlap)
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*[[Media:P to v rhs.pdf|'''Piston-to-valve clearance''']] (both before and after TDC on overlap)
*Push rod to guide slot in head  
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**When advancing/retarding the cam, be sure to recheck piston to valve clearance. Each degree of change effects valve clearance approximately 0.010". Example: If you advance the camshaft 4 degrees, you will '''lose''' about 0.040" clearance between the intake valve and piston, and you will ''gain'' about 0.040" clearance between the exhaust valve and piston. It will be the opposite if the camshaft is retarded.
*Use '''EITHER''' self-aligning rockers '''OR''' pushrod guide slots in head '''OR''' guide plates, not two or more of these at the same time
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**Also see '''[[Quench]]'''
*"Rails" of self aligning rockers to retainer
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*Push rod to guide slot in head (see image below)
*Rocker to valve tip (by adjusting guide plates if used)
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*Use '''EITHER''' self-aligning rockers '''OR''' pushrod guide slots in head '''OR''' guide plates, but ''NEVER'' two or more of these at the same time
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*"Rails" of self aligning rockers to retainer and/or locks
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*Rocker to valve tip (if needed, adjust guide plates if used)
 
*Rocker slot to stud (if using stamped rockers w/pivot balls)
 
*Rocker slot to stud (if using stamped rockers w/pivot balls)
*Proper geometry
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*Rocker arm/polylock to valve cover or oil baffle
*Rocker arm/polylok to valve cover or oil baffle
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*Camshaft endplay
 
*Camshaft endplay
*Distributor shaft and gear endplay
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*Distributor shaft endplay and distributor/cam gear mesh/alignment
 
*Distributor gear material compatible with cam material
 
*Distributor gear material compatible with cam material
 
*Mechanical fuel pump pushrod material compatible with cam material
 
*Mechanical fuel pump pushrod material compatible with cam material
 
*Hydraulic lifter preload or solid lifter lash setting
 
*Hydraulic lifter preload or solid lifter lash setting
 
*Timing set phasing
 
*Timing set phasing
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*'''[[Timing tabs and damper TDC lines SBC]]'''
 
*Cam gear to crank gear alignment
 
*Cam gear to crank gear alignment
 
*Cam gear end play if roller cam
 
*Cam gear end play if roller cam
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*Timing set to timing gear cover
 
*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
 
*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
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*Cam lobe to connecting rod bolt on stroker engines
  
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[[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"/>
  
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==Spring cups==
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[[File:Springcup2.jpg|right]]
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When using a spring cup or locator it's important that it closely fit either the ID of the spring seat or the OD of the guide boss. This keeps the cup or locator from moving around- which is one reason for using it in the first place.
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Aluminum heads need to have something that will protect the aluminum from wear. At the very least a hardened shim at least 0.030" thick should be used.
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<br style="clear:both"/>
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==References==
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;Crankshaft Coalition wiki articles
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*[[Valve spring tech]]
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*[http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Camshaft_install_tips_and_tricks Cam installation tips/tricks]
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*[http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Adjusting_hydraulic_lifters Adjusting hydraulic lifters]
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*[http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Timing_Tabs_and_Damper_TDC_Lines_SBC SBC timing tab/damper line differences]
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*[http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Cam_and_compression_ratio_compatibility Cam duration vs. compression ratio]
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;Hotrodders forum threads
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*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/difference-measured-vs-calculated-coil-bind-clearance-192254.html?highlight=between+single+coil Valve spring coil bind]
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*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/rocker-arm-199353.html Valvetrain geometry]
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*[http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/mid-lift-rockers-206836.html?highlight=MID+LIFT+MILLER Miller mid lift rocker arm theory]
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==Resources==
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*[http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=90 Cam degreeing/cam install info] from GrumpysPerformance.com
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*[http://www.kmotion.biz/instht.htm Valve spring installed height] from K-Motion
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==Calculators==
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;Static compression ratio
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*[http://www.wheelspin.net/calc/calc2.html SCR calculator] from Wheelspin.com
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;Dynamic compression ratio
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*[http://www.empirenet.com/pkelley2/DynamicCR.html Kelly calculator/info]
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*[http://www.kb-silvolite.com/calc.php?action=comp2 Keith Black calculator]
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[[File:Jessel mohawk AFR ford windsor.jpg]][[File:Comp roller 374 ford sherman.jpg]]
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{{newarticle1}} 
 
[[Category:Engine]]
 
[[Category:Engine]]
 
[[Category:Camshaft]]
 
[[Category:Camshaft]]
 
[[Category:Adjust valves]]
 
[[Category:Adjust valves]]
 
[[Category:Good articles]]
 
[[Category:Good articles]]
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[[Category:Cylinder head]]

Latest revision as of 06:29, 15 October 2013

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