Rocker adjustment

[simonjrwinter]

I did a search but can't find the answer to my query.
I have a 302 with a solid roller cam and roller rockers. The only 302 I've worked on before had hydraulic lifters, so I did the "tighten 1/4 turn" thing and all was ok. These have to be done with feeler gauges don't they? should it be done cold or hot? any ideas what the clearances should be or is that down to the Cam mfrs? It's a Reed cam duration 272 in 282 ex, valve lift 523 in 542 ex (is that any help?)
Thanks
Simon

[Clois Harlan]

Simon since you are English I am sure you have adjusted mechanical lifters before. I cut my racing teeth on my Triumph Spitfire and then my TR-6 both mechanical lifter engines.

Anyway, when I built my first engine for my Cobra it was a 302 w/ a solid lifter Crane Cam and my current a 428 CJ has a solid lifter Comp cam. Both engines cam manufacturer recommended the gap to be set between .022 and .025. I set mine initially cold at .025 and started it up and ran it up to temp and then checked each lifter again. I seem to recall resetting each lifter a little but not much. You should have a spec sheet that came with your cam that will tell you how to set your gap. I am sure you know that you set the gap on the intake just after the exhaust closes and set the exhause just after the intake starts to open. There is a pretty good procedure in my FE book by Steve Christ.

Clois