Quote:
Originally Posted by patrickt
Absolutely true. Those with an aluminum FE block and aluminum heads, coupled with a solid flat tappet cam, actually have to set their valves to a negative lash value.  |
I was 15 yrs old when I assembled my first solid lifter engine (a 396/402 chevy). I set the valves by taking to zero and then backed off enough that I could wiggle them. Figured no point in measuring until it was warmed up. I couldn't get it to start, until I backed them off another 1/4 turn (if memory serves me). You sure you can start an engine with the valves never touching the seats? Wouldn't the valves overheat before you could get the engine warmed up? I'm very curious here. Is this theoretical or are there indeed solids out there that have a negative lash when they cool off?
Any way I have to say hydraulics would be best in an all aluminum push rod engine. The taller the deck the better the hydraulics look to me.