I usually leave the rockers tight when I pull a head. That way when you loosen the head bolts you have a good amount of spring pressure to help you separate the head from block. Once the seal is broken then I loosen the rockers and proceed normally. Just a thought.
Hi *****, No, the head gasket is not torqued down. The reason is because head gaskets are compressed by the force between the cylinder head and the engine block. When they are compressed, they are formed to the cylinder head and engine block forming a tight seal. When finding the piston to valve clearance, you take the uncompressed thickness of the gasket and subtract the manufacturer’s specified compressed thickness. This gives you the thickness that is compressed, or squeezed out of the gasket. That value is then subtracted from the compressed clay to find the total piston to valve clearance. Piston to Valve Clearance = Compressed Clay Thickness - (Uncompressed Gasket Thickness - MFR Compressed Gasket Thickness)
Have a 260Z engine. Rebuilt engine 6 months ago and has now 200 miles. Recently went down a hill in first gear and backed off the gas suddenly and the result was three intake valves were bent by hitting the piston. An instant event since prior all was well. During rebuild we checked valve to piston clearance and all was good. Any comments? Thanks
STIG30 , Absolutely, as long as you have enough clay and the cam is installed/degreed properly and all the valve are adjusted properly! This is usually done with checking springs in place of the original valve springs to make it easier to rotate the motor and most people only buy one set.
On the home stretch of rebuilding a 4g63 vr4 engine, was replacing the old cometic 0.07" head gasket with a 0.051" gasket. Was wanting your guys opinions on whether or not i would need to check the valve to piston clearance?
Bob, We carry a multitude of head gaskets for the 5.3 LS motor in many thicknesses. Take a look at this link to pick the best one for you! www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/head-gaskets/make/chevrolet/engine-size/5-3l-325/engine-family/chevy-small-block-gen-iii-iv-ls-based-engines
i have a sbc 350 with 275 dome pistons 200cc 64cc edelbrock aluminum heads im using a solid flat tappet cam tippy sure it will clear regardless or am i wrong
What would the most you can get of valve lift on a stock bottom end 350 sbc? I'm looking to put a new cam and AFR heads, but I hear AFR heads like a lot of valve lift. I am just curious what the most valve degree, lobe separation on cam, and valve lift.
Summit Racing Thanks! I always watch your videos. Honestly, Summit Racing is my #1 choice. I live in Russia but all parts for my Firebird' 88 I order only from Summit ;)
Your engine guy is right. But one of the factors to keep in mind is valve float/flutter. .050 is plenty of clearance but .080 PLENTY of clearance. No use in getting caught up about the numbers on this matter. Your engine guy is right and so is the video. All is good! 💪🇺🇸🏁
its his habit phrase .. . ha ha its quite entertaining. My old boss always used to say "turn around". Was like "turn around a measure this then turn around and measure that" etc. Sure is funny. I don't think he even knows he is saying it so much.
Some times you can get a thicker head gasket to gain some clearance as well. MLS gaskets come in increments of .010s.
Good video - using a little oil on the piston crown and the valves keeps the clay from sticking to the components when you lift the head off again
good advice man thanks
I usually leave the rockers tight when I pull a head. That way when you loosen the head bolts you have a good amount of spring pressure to help you separate the head from block. Once the seal is broken then I loosen the rockers and proceed normally. Just a thought.
Hi 177SCmaro,
Thank you for sharing your experience. Great tip!
Summit Racing
You bet. Anytime.
Instead of changing/modifying pistons could you get shorter pushrods?
so the head gasket is not torqued down yet?
Hi *****,
No, the head gasket is not torqued down. The reason is because head gaskets are compressed by the force between the cylinder head and the engine block. When they are compressed, they are formed to the cylinder head and engine block forming a tight seal.
When finding the piston to valve clearance, you take the uncompressed thickness of the gasket and subtract the manufacturer’s specified compressed thickness. This gives you the thickness that is compressed, or squeezed out of the gasket. That value is then subtracted from the compressed clay to find the total piston to valve clearance.
Piston to Valve Clearance = Compressed Clay Thickness - (Uncompressed Gasket Thickness - MFR Compressed Gasket Thickness)
thanks for the helpful video is .080 on the intake valve and the .100 the exhaust what to look for on all clearance setting or should it very?
Have a 260Z engine. Rebuilt engine 6 months ago and has now 200 miles. Recently went down a hill in first gear and backed off the gas suddenly and the result was three intake valves were bent by hitting the piston. An instant event since prior all was well. During rebuild we checked valve to piston clearance and all was good. Any comments? Thanks
did you reuse the valve springs? stronger springs should help
your valve springs are weak ...use new or stronger springs
Can you do this test with multiple cylinders at once, instead of installing/removing the head multiple times?
STIG30 ,
Absolutely, as long as you have enough clay and the cam is installed/degreed properly and all the valve are adjusted properly! This is usually done with checking springs in place of the original valve springs to make it easier to rotate the motor and most people only buy one set.
On the home stretch of rebuilding a 4g63 vr4 engine, was replacing the old cometic 0.07" head gasket with a 0.051" gasket. Was wanting your guys opinions on whether or not i would need to check the valve to piston clearance?
Jack Bates if your unsure you should always check
can you use a shim gasket on a 5.3 vortec moter to get more compression like they did with the 350?
Bob, We carry a multitude of head gaskets for the 5.3 LS motor in many thicknesses. Take a look at this link to pick the best one for you!
www.summitracing.com/search/part-type/head-gaskets/make/chevrolet/engine-size/5-3l-325/engine-family/chevy-small-block-gen-iii-iv-ls-based-engines
when I check mine do I need to use a different spring or can I just use the springs on my heads? I bought the heads fully assembled.
I want to use a 15 degree head with a -19.5 dish piston do you think I'll have clearance issue with the dishes piston? (No valve reliefs)
i have a sbc 350 with 275 dome pistons 200cc 64cc edelbrock aluminum heads im using a solid flat tappet cam tippy sure it will clear regardless or am i wrong
It would depend on the cam lift, the only for sure way to tell would be to check the clearances with clay
What would the most you can get of valve lift on a stock bottom end 350 sbc? I'm looking to put a new cam and AFR heads, but I hear AFR heads like a lot of valve lift. I am just curious what the most valve degree, lobe separation on cam, and valve lift.
Summit, thanks!
Thank you for watching, Viktor Psherenkoff! Let us know if you have any questions.
Summit Racing Thanks! I always watch your videos. Honestly, Summit Racing is my #1 choice. I live in Russia but all parts for my Firebird' 88 I order only from Summit ;)
Will dome pistons hv enough clearance
What kind of clay do yall use and where do u purchase them?
J. Lee
it's just kids PlayDoh bought at a toy store(Steve Morton uses this and he's an ex prostock racer and engine builder)
Awesome! Thx bud, just bought a pack to experiment with :)
Hello there i have a qstn how's the process on a b18c1 integra block and head does the cams needs to be install?
Wilbert Ramos, Can you give our tech line a call? 1-330-630-0240. We need some additional information from you. Thanks!
Ok awesome thanks alot sure will
What if i find a college kid afraid of trump, can i borrow his play doh
jon brown. OMG!! 😁😁😁😂😂😂😂👍🇺🇸
You could probably just borrow Donald's
BIDEN WOULD BE THE ONE TO ASK.
why is there such a small hole for water passage in a 350 head gasket and such a large hole in the head and block
Hi johnnywaco3,
This serves as a water restriction. This water flow regulation helps to achieve more even cooling around all cylinder walls.
Would Aluminium heads work on a stock engine, i imagine the pistons are not suited for the bigger valves. Anyone can fill me in?
cool stuff to learn :)
Damn 80 thou and 100 thou my engine guy said they would be good at 50 thou !!
Your engine guy is right. But one of the factors to keep in mind is valve float/flutter. .050 is plenty of clearance but
.080 PLENTY of clearance. No use in getting caught up about the numbers on this matter. Your engine guy is right and so is the video.
All is good! 💪🇺🇸🏁
why do yanks always say "go ahead and..."? Count the times this guy says "go ahead" or "I went ahead". It is literally dozens!!
its his habit phrase .. . ha ha its quite entertaining. My old boss always used to say "turn around". Was like "turn around a measure this then turn around and measure that" etc. Sure is funny. I don't think he even knows he is saying it so much.
Steven W just b4 everytime you call someone a yank, think of me saying "lick my ballz"
#makingcamshaftswapsgreatagain2020
Stop smacking so muche when you talk!
so the head gasket is not torqued down yet?