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Measuring Piston to Valve clearance...

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Old Mar 6, 2012 | 03:59 PM
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Default Measuring Piston to Valve clearance...

I'm about ready to measure PTV clearance. I know the pistons are gonna have to be cut, but have to measure to see how much. My big ? is the stock hydraulic lifter is gonna move when rotating the engine over with the checker springs. What do I need to do to get an accurate reading?

Thanks
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Old Mar 6, 2012 | 04:40 PM
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With checker springs on the lifter should not collapse..
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Old Mar 6, 2012 | 04:49 PM
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From: Martin Mi
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Another way to do it is to take one of your lifters apart, pull the spring out, and flip the plunger around. Than put the retaining clip back in and you have a solid lifter. I did this with the same lifters im using with no problems. It does help to have a pen magnet to help get the internals apart, because the oil will try to suck them in. Hope this helps, Eric L
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Old Mar 6, 2012 | 08:28 PM
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From: Little Rhody
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Use the dial indicator method, it is more accurate anyhow. Also, did you degree the cam?
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 06:52 PM
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Figured I'd update this thread as I just got around to it this weekend. Got the cam degreed in. Supposed to be on a 108, I've tried several times and keep coming up with 108.5 so I guess that will have to be good enough.

As far as PTV goes, I measured off the retainer with a dial indicator. I took the readings at each degree from 15 degrees before TDC to TDC for the exhaust and from TDC to 15 degrees after TDC for the intake.

The Exhaust is closest at 6 degrees BTDC and has .024" clearance

The Intake is closest at 9 degrees ATDC and has .009" clearance

How much should I cut?
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Old Apr 1, 2012 | 08:12 PM
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From: WPG MB
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.060" BARE MINIMUM, but .080" or more preferable.
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