need valve lash advise if I don't know the cam

[John D.]

Re: need valve lash advise if I don't know the cam

I am inclined to think it is the original cam as well, as the guy who rebuilt it (owned it two owners ago) said he didn't change the cam when he rebuilt it. The problem is I've never run the engine. I bought the car as a project.

What sort of sounds or "feel" could I expect if the valve lash is too tight vs too loose?

If you end up taking a shot and putting the engine back together with the same cam here might be the next step. Install a vacuum gauge and see how many inches of vacuum you have at idle. Idle being around 850 or so. You should have at least 16". This would indiciate that you MIGHT have a Duntov 097 cam. But if you end up with a lot less vacuum there is a possibility that you could have a 30-30 cam.
I didn't read all the replies here as there are a ton.
Pesonally I don't think you will sleep until you tear the engine down some and put in a nice replacement 097 cam. Go to Car Quest, etc. and ask for a Speed Pro CS113R cam and the matching solid lifters.(AT992). I just got one for a customer a few months ago. Price went up I believe but it was still less than $200.00 . John D.

[Michael H.]

Re: need valve lash advise if I don't know the cam

If you end up taking a shot and putting the engine back together with the same cam here might be the next step. Install a vacuum gauge and see how many inches of vacuum you have at idle. Idle being around 850 or so. You should have at least 16". This would indiciate that you MIGHT have a Duntov 097 cam. But if you end up with a lot less vacuum there is a possibility that you could have a 30-30 cam.
I didn't read all the replies here as there are a ton.
Pesonally I don't think you will sleep until you tear the engine down some and put in a nice replacement 097 cam. Go to Car Quest, etc. and ask for a Speed Pro CS113R cam and the matching solid lifters.(AT992). I just got one for a customer a few months ago. Price went up I believe but it was still less than $200.00 . John D.

Yea, well that's pretty obvious. We settled the cam issue 30 posts ago. Ian already ordered a new 097 cam.
Pretty hard to only read the first post in a string of over 50 and make any logical replies JD.
Heck, you even missed "the big debate" if ya didn't read all the posts!

[Jeremy D.]

Re: need valve lash advise if I don't know the cam

Hey Stu,

Well, I checked around and it doesn't seem that anyone local rents bore scopes

I even called a machine shop and they guy told me: "I know some mechanics that have them, but they wouldn't rent them to their mothers, much less someone they don't know. They are too fragile and will break if you sneeze on them". :P

Can someone tell me exactly what sort of bore gauge/dial indicator to buy? I see a number on ebay...

And then what measurement am I looking for?

thanks!

FWIW, I just got back from Home Depot...on my way to buying new shower heads, they had a Milwaukee display at the end of one of the aisles right when ya first walk in with a drill, saw and a REALLY COOL borescope! It's a little on the short side, but it was really cool...had a little light on the end and everything. I didn't even look at the price because my credit card was getting hot just by being in there....but it was simple & looked like what might help out.

[Ian G.]

Re: need valve lash advise if I don't know the cam

Hi John,

Thanks for the advice. I actually have already ordered the cam you recommend. Joe Lucia also recommends that cam. I got a set of comp cams solid lifters. I actually think I have an LT1 cam based on the bore dial indicator measurements I took. I'm looking at doing a rebuild as I would like to replace my rods with steel eagle ones and get domed pistons as my CR is only 8.6 and I'd like to return the engine to all its furious glory