Setting valve lash cold?

I'm in the process of installing a solid flat tappet cam.
The cam specs call for lash at .018" intake and .020" exhaust.
What should I set it at cold so I can break the cam in?

mike

f250mike wrote:I'm in the process of installing a solid flat tappet cam.
The cam specs call for lash at .018" intake and .020" exhaust.
What should I set it at cold so I can break the cam in?

mike

Aluminum heads or cast iron heads...? Aluminum rockers or steel rockers...?

Randy they are Dove iron heads with Harland Sharp aluminum rockers.

.028-.030? just a guess,tell us Randy i cant remember.

my iron head deal wanted about .002 less cold., I'd think it would be good enough.....break it in, recheck the lash hot, next time it you check it cold you'll have your exact number.

richter69 wrote:my iron head deal wanted about .002 less cold., I'd think it would be good enough.....break it in, recheck the lash hot, next time it you check it cold you'll have your exact number.

x2

f250mike wrote:Randy they are Dove iron heads with Harland Sharp aluminum rockers.

An iron head with aluminum rockers should be about the same: it might grow very slightly, (about .002" or so).

EDIT: To late, I see it has already been answered.

Thanks guys
I've mostly worked with hydraulic cams and didn't want to chance wiping a lobe on this solid deal.
The cam has been degreed and P-V clearances checked. Everything is good to go.
If everything works out I may break the cam in this weekend.
mike

Mike I broke mine in on .016 intake and .022 that is what the cam specs call for with just the outer spring on.Might not have been right but it worked out good on mine.This is my 1st solid lift cam also I am still learning I have always ran hydraulic. I need to heat mine up and check them Thursday afternoon before I head to the track Friday.

the recomended lash will be fine for the breakin . i set mine cold at the recomended also. it has lasted 15 years !!! i know a hot ajustment is better. with my iron head in my 69 cougar chassis a hot ajustment is very tuff . so after i checked the ajustment hot and found were they were , i have set them cold from then on.

How about a roller with iron heads, and steel rockers, card says 26, doesn't say hot or cold, set them at 22 cold?

Setting the lash tighter is never MORE aggressive and is easier on valve train parts. Although it MAY cost a few horsepower, it might break fewer parts. Going looser is always the same or more aggressive and CAN go the other way but, maybe not.
That's part of what a TUNED combination is all about.
Then again ... it comes down to being all about your priorities.

rmcomprandy wrote:Setting the lash tighter is never MORE aggressive and is easier on valve train parts. Although it MAY cost a few horsepower, it might break fewer parts. Going looser is always the same or more aggressive and CAN go the other way but, maybe not.
That's part of what a TUNED combination is all about.
Then again ... it comes down to being all about your priorities.

I sure don't want to break any parts, is there some way to baby a set of old springs, I just want them to last, until the bash is over, then I am going to put the new heads on.

342g wrote:

rmcomprandy wrote:Setting the lash tighter is never MORE aggressive and is easier on valve train parts. Although it MAY cost a few horsepower, it might break fewer parts. Going looser is always the same or more aggressive and CAN go the other way but, maybe not.
That's part of what a TUNED combination is all about.
Then again ... it comes down to being all about your priorities.

I sure don't want to break any parts, is there some way to baby a set of old springs, I just want them to last, until the bash is over, then I am going to put the new heads on.

Randy, answer this question please, Ihave to set them, and I want to set the easiest on the springs.

342g wrote:

342g wrote:

rmcomprandy wrote:Setting the lash tighter is never MORE aggressive and is easier on valve train parts. Although it MAY cost a few horsepower, it might break fewer parts. Going looser is always the same or more aggressive and CAN go the other way but, maybe not.
That's part of what a TUNED combination is all about.
Then again ... it comes down to being all about your priorities.

I sure don't want to break any parts, is there some way to baby a set of old springs, I just want them to last, until the bash is over, then I am going to put the new heads on.

Randy, answer this question please, Ihave to set them, and I want to set the easiest on the springs.

I can't answer that with any kind of surety. There are simply too many variables.
Tighter than usual for that combination will be easier on parts ... how much is anybody's guess.

i can see tighter lash helping out the lifters& rockers but how could it do anything for the springs?

cool40 wrote:i can see tighter lash helping out the lifters& rockers but how could it do anything for the springs?

If the valve action is not as aggressive at opening and closing, the springs won't be required to do as much work to control 'em. There's not gonna be MUCH difference but, "the straw that broke the camel's back" may not show up.

My combo is scj heads and a460 rockers the cam i got from scotty j says .020 hot lash what should they be set cold for breakin ?

4 less cold for aluminum heads and 4 more cold for iron heads. With aluminum heads the lash opens up and with iron it closes when they get to temp.

Randy and Jon you guys were almost spot on with the cold lash .
I had to snug up the exhaust just a little. The intake was on the money.
This cam makes my little 472 sound alot more wicked than it really is.
We will see if it gets me where I need to be Friday night.

Thanks again guys
mike

f250mike wrote:Randy and Jon you guys were almost spot on with the cold lash .
I had to snug up the exhaust just a little. The intake was on the money.
This cam makes my little 472 sound alot more wicked than it really is.
We will see if it gets me where I need to be Friday night.

Thanks again guys
mike

careful you'll inflate my internet ego more than it is...............

richter69 wrote:

f250mike wrote:Randy and Jon you guys were almost spot on with the cold lash .
I had to snug up the exhaust just a little. The intake was on the money.
This cam makes my little 472 sound alot more wicked than it really is.
We will see if it gets me where I need to be Friday night.

Thanks again guys
mike

careful you'll inflate my internet ego more than it is...............

That is highly impossible............

Jon I'm just giving due credit were it is.

Oh and I almost bought 2 1/2 cases of 20w50 green oil for $90 the other day
Then I realized my daily driver was almost out of gas

man 90 bucks wont get ya far.............

glad the lash deal worked out......

Snake..............oh nevermind lol.

[quote="f250mike"]Jon I'm just giving due credit were it is.

Oh and I almost bought 2 1/2 cases of 20w50 green oil for $90 the other day
Then I realized my daily driver was almost out of gas [/quot

Should have bought the oil.