 Dave in VA
"5th Year" Gold Supporting Member
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Age: 74
Loc: SW Virginia, USA
Reg: 03-11-18
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12-01-24 05:47 AM - Post#2876042
...in the 6 1/2 years (8,000mi) that I've had the car. I guess that I thought it would be too hard of a job, but it was quite easy using instructions from the Stovebolt forum.
All of them were tight on a hot engine. I was expecting them to be loose. I set them at .006 and .013.
The car has always run great, except it was hard to restart when hot. Timing is correct and the plugs look like new.
Took it out for a spin and it seems to have a little more pep. But maybe it's just my imagination. What should I expect from properly adjusted valves?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zke1593mNI
"Knowledge is Good" -- Emil Faber
U S Navy MM2 1970-75 USS Canisteo AO-99, USS Miller DE-1091 (The Champagne of Ships)
1950 Styleline Deluxe 2dr, mostly stock, driver quality...new to me 3/18
2017 Silverado LTZ 6.2
2020 Blazer Premier
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 Shepherd
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3669
Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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12-01-24 08:05 AM - Post#2876046
In response to Dave in VA
The valves would always be tight on a hot engine. They should be adjusted cold to the listed specs, to achieve the best results. Dave in NY. Lol
Edited by Shepherd on 12-01-24 08:40 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Dave in VA
"5th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 619
Age: 74
Loc: SW Virginia, USA
Reg: 03-11-18
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12-01-24 08:20 AM - Post#2876047
In response to Shepherd
The valves would always be tight on a hot engine. They should be adjusted cold to the listed specs, to achieve the best results.
I will check them cold. Everything that I read said to adjust them while hot...
"Knowledge is Good" -- Emil Faber
U S Navy MM2 1970-75 USS Canisteo AO-99, USS Miller DE-1091 (The Champagne of Ships)
1950 Styleline Deluxe 2dr, mostly stock, driver quality...new to me 3/18
2017 Silverado LTZ 6.2
2020 Blazer Premier
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Shepherd
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3669
Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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12-01-24 08:44 AM - Post#2876049
In response to Dave in VA
Hard way to do it accurately. I always did it cold and added. 003 to the exh settings and .002 to the int, to compensate for heat expansion.
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 RAM_51
"8th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 6788
Loc: Yakima, WA. USA
Reg: 12-28-02
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12-01-24 09:24 AM - Post#2876050
In response to Dave in VA
What should I expect from properly adjusted valves?
A smooth running engine. On a new engine, I will adjust the valves to the cold setting. But once the engine is "normalized", I will readjust to the hot settings. The head bolts should be re-torqued to spec before hand. Yeah, things bounce around a little, but it's VERY OBVIOUS that they are set correctly when the feeler gauge slides smoothly and effortlessly between the valve stem and rocker arm. For me, it is quite satisfying actually. I only use a cold setting as a preliminary.
1951 Fleetline Preservation
'51 Fleetline DeLuxe, POWERglide 2-DR (Fathom Green)
'51 Styleline Special BUSINESS COUPE (Shadow Gray)
'53 6500 Dump Bed (Faded Red)
'50 Styleline DeLuxe 4-DR (Mist Green) |
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bobb
Super Senior Member
Posts: 6908
Loc: paradise
Reg: 09-05-03
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12-01-24 10:12 AM - Post#2876052
In response to Dave in VA
engine should normaly start better hot. i would look for fuel issues first.
| 70 L camino, grampa engine, g-force 5 spd, road rage suspension. Pray first before all else fails. |
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Dave in VA
"5th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 619
Age: 74
Loc: SW Virginia, USA
Reg: 03-11-18
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12-02-24 12:17 PM - Post#2876070
In response to bobb
engine should normaly start better hot. i would look for fuel issues first.
The only fuel problems I have are vapor lock related. A bottle of water poured over the fuel pump fixed that.
"Knowledge is Good" -- Emil Faber
U S Navy MM2 1970-75 USS Canisteo AO-99, USS Miller DE-1091 (The Champagne of Ships)
1950 Styleline Deluxe 2dr, mostly stock, driver quality...new to me 3/18
2017 Silverado LTZ 6.2
2020 Blazer Premier
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Dave in VA
"5th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 619
Age: 74
Loc: SW Virginia, USA
Reg: 03-11-18
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12-02-24 12:27 PM - Post#2876071
In response to Shepherd
I checked and reset the valves cold.
Intake .007+.002 Exhaust .014+.003
It was easier to do when I removed the individual gauges from the set.
The engine has always sounded good, but not quite right. To me, it just sounds better now. Regardless, the valves needed adjustment.
We'll see...
"Knowledge is Good" -- Emil Faber
U S Navy MM2 1970-75 USS Canisteo AO-99, USS Miller DE-1091 (The Champagne of Ships)
1950 Styleline Deluxe 2dr, mostly stock, driver quality...new to me 3/18
2017 Silverado LTZ 6.2
2020 Blazer Premier
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Shepherd
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3669
Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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12-02-24 04:05 PM - Post#2876072
In response to Dave in VA
Good,tighter valve adjustments can affect low rpm performance.
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rrausch
"19th Year" Silver Supporting Member
Posts: 15216
Loc: L.A, Cal. & St. Louis...
Reg: 04-07-03
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12-04-24 08:46 PM - Post#2876101
In response to Shepherd
I've set my valves hot on every 235/261 I've owned since 1989--three of them.
1953 210 Convertible, 261 with dual Carter YF 966S carbs, P.S., Remote Bendix P.B. Booster.
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bobt
Contributor
Posts: 443
Loc: colonial heights va
Reg: 06-28-14
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12-05-24 07:41 AM - Post#2876105
In response to rrausch
FIRST, what engine are you working on? 216 or 235? Solid or hydralic lifters?
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Toms50
Newbie
Posts: 27
Loc: PA, USA
Reg: 06-08-16
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12-05-24 08:20 AM - Post#2876108
In response to bobt
Two articles on valve adjustment
Chevrolet valve lash
Chevrolet shop manual
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Dave in VA
"5th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 619
Age: 74
Loc: SW Virginia, USA
Reg: 03-11-18
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12-05-24 11:30 AM - Post#2876113
In response to bobt
FIRST, what engine are you working on? 216 or 235? Solid or hydralic lifters?
I'm sorry. Stock, original 216, except for dual exhaust. The original factory manifold was split by a previous owner, long ago. 104K miles.
The valves needed adjusting, no doubt about that. I adjusted them hot (.006 and .013). Ran and sounded great. I checked and readjusted them cold a couple of days later. (.009 and .017) -- (.007+.002 and .014+.003). Runs great, sounds better than before, and seems to have more get up and go, like 3rd gear up a hill.
After adjusting and starting the engine cold, the car started started right up in a 35* garage. Before, it was a lot harder to start cold.
"Knowledge is Good" -- Emil Faber
U S Navy MM2 1970-75 USS Canisteo AO-99, USS Miller DE-1091 (The Champagne of Ships)
1950 Styleline Deluxe 2dr, mostly stock, driver quality...new to me 3/18
2017 Silverado LTZ 6.2
2020 Blazer Premier
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bobt
Contributor
Posts: 443
Loc: colonial heights va
Reg: 06-28-14
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12-06-24 02:38 AM - Post#2876119
In response to Dave in VA
Okay, that's solid lifters. This is my opinion ONLY. I'm going to say that a valve should be a little LOOSE when HOT. the valve cools itself when it is fully seated while running. I believe that a "noisy valve is a happy valve". Not rattling but a little ticking is okay.An overly tight valve will burn. Exhaust valves burn a lot more than the intakes but if an intake is not seating, It will burn in time. Again, My opinion. Also,some EARLY 235's had solid lifters and no full pressure oiling like the 216 babbit pounders. The oil pump only supplied oil to the rocker assembly and the mains.
Edited by bobt on 12-06-24 02:58 PM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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Shepherd
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3669
Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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12-06-24 05:05 AM - Post#2876120
In response to bobt
Amen on your theory in any solid lifter engine. 
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52_Belair
Senior Member
Posts: 309
Loc: Canby, Oregon
Reg: 03-25-03
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12-06-24 11:05 AM - Post#2876129
In response to bobt
I'm not sure how many variations of the 235 there were but my '52 has oil pressure to the mains, (how else would they get lubed, like a Model T Ford?? What years would those engines be?) and the hydraulic lifters but splash and dip on the rods.
Edited by 52_Belair on 12-06-24 11:08 AM. Reason for edit: No reason given.
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super_cheyenne
"20th Year" Silver Supporting Member
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Loc: Williamsport, Pa. USA
Reg: 10-14-01
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01-09-25 07:03 AM - Post#2876917
In response to Dave in VA
Years ago ,like 15 ,I thought I had vapor lock problem BUT we adjusted the valves ,some were tight ,some were loose and since that day I've never had a problem again . 128,000 miles on original 216 
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gus
Poster
Posts: 88
Loc: oregon
Reg: 12-27-02
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01-09-25 01:09 PM - Post#2876926
In response to bobt
I have a 1958/235 is there any way to tell if you have solid or Hdry. besides pulling the lifter out and looking for the oiling hole ports ? thanks
| 51 chevy Fleetline ,2dr.,12V, 235 (6cly) |
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Dave in VA
"5th Year" Gold Supporting Member
Posts: 619
Age: 74
Loc: SW Virginia, USA
Reg: 03-11-18
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01-10-25 05:16 AM - Post#2876938
In response to gus
I have a 1958/235 is there any way to tell if you have solid or Hdry. besides pulling the lifter out and looking for the oiling hole ports ? thanks
I believe that after '53, all 235's had hydraulic lifters...
"Knowledge is Good" -- Emil Faber
U S Navy MM2 1970-75 USS Canisteo AO-99, USS Miller DE-1091 (The Champagne of Ships)
1950 Styleline Deluxe 2dr, mostly stock, driver quality...new to me 3/18
2017 Silverado LTZ 6.2
2020 Blazer Premier
|
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gus
Poster
Posts: 88
Loc: oregon
Reg: 12-27-02
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01-10-25 02:04 PM - Post#2876952
In response to Dave in VA
My Manual for the 235 says put on #1 TDC , take lash out of push rod, then screw down 1&1/2 turns. it didn't say hot or cold . So is this the preferred method for hydr. valve adj. Thanks Gus.
| 51 chevy Fleetline ,2dr.,12V, 235 (6cly) |
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Mcloud
Poster
Posts: 76
Age: 71
Loc: NY
Reg: 12-02-14
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01-19-25 01:49 PM - Post#2877222
In response to Shepherd
Seems a 'noisy valve' is one that needs tightening. Better slightly loose than too tight, I suppose. And would not a hydraulic lifter compensate for mild lash variances?
| 1950 Styleline Special, 216, 3-On-Tree, stock. 1955 Bel Air, stock V8. |
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Shepherd
Valued Contributor
Posts: 3669
Loc: Lake George, NY
Reg: 11-11-15
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 01-21-25 01:44 PM - Post#2877302
In response to Mcloud
All good info Mark.
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