Piston to valve question
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 144
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Piston to valve question So im mocking up my L-76 stroker and have the short block done. I was going to mount a head to check piston to valve clearance but this 4" Manley kits pistons have a positive deck height. I usually just snug a head on without a gasket, but now I can't. I only have new MLS head gaskets, I don't have the old ones, do you guys think just hand snugging the ARP studs will be ok? I guess I could put some shims on a few studs, but I don't like that idea either?
This is an 11:1, blower motor (LSA), so I don't want to take any chances compromising the head gaskets! =)
This is an 11:1, blower motor (LSA), so I don't want to take any chances compromising the head gaskets! =)
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 144
Likes: 9
Im running a BTR PDS stage 4 cam, they told me I should have plenty of clearance, but I'm just a, "trust, but verify" kind of guy!
TECH Addict
Joined: Oct 2016
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From: PDX-OR-USA
I am not lookign at the parts in front of me,, so this is just a general make sure thing,,
Use a depth micrometer/caliper to measure the deck to top of piston
and the thickness of the head gasket before you put the head on,
Don't just lay the gasket on and roll it over, Measure multiple bores.
You don't ever want to hit the piston on the head, too easy to squish
a top ring groove too tight. Its not like "fragile" but I've seen guys ruin a bore
because they hit the edge of the piston while measuring stuff and stuck the ring
in the groove when it ran.
Use a depth micrometer/caliper to measure the deck to top of piston
and the thickness of the head gasket before you put the head on,
Don't just lay the gasket on and roll it over, Measure multiple bores.
You don't ever want to hit the piston on the head, too easy to squish
a top ring groove too tight. Its not like "fragile" but I've seen guys ruin a bore
because they hit the edge of the piston while measuring stuff and stuck the ring
in the groove when it ran.
With a known compressed gasket thickness, why not? I've always done it this way, just never had a setup with the piston peaking out the top, lol.
Im running a BTR PDS stage 4 cam, they told me I should have plenty of clearance, but I'm just a, "trust, but verify" kind of guy!
Im running a BTR PDS stage 4 cam, they told me I should have plenty of clearance, but I'm just a, "trust, but verify" kind of guy!
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 144
Likes: 9
Yeah i hear that. My reasoning for my method is that IF I don't have a clearance issue with no gasket, the gasket only adds to the safety margin. Since this setup isn't, "supposed to be" an issue, I didn't want to waste the cash on a new gasket.
