Expert: Roger J.M. Warrington - 12/4/2004

Question
I have a 1966 chevy vette and it was my dads , it has not been used in a long time but he had it stored the right way  He has had it going for a few mos. but now he is away in the ARMY and the valves are making a lot of noise and I do not have any idea what to set them at , it is a 327 with a alum. intake, headers, w/ a holley 650.all the good stuff real fast  4/speed
as my Dad was under the hood every other week end adj. them. so it now needs it again, as my friend knows how to do it but what is the setting.can you please help me
Tk You
Lori

Answer
Lori if the engine is all Chevy parts and the cam was never replaced it should be a SOLID Lifter camshaft and it should be set at either one of these  as it could be  .30 all the way around meaning each one is set at .30 thousands with the feeler gauge. or it is .12 and 18. intake valves set at .12 thousands and ex. valves set at .18 thousands
and if you don't know what is a intake or ex. the valve tappetts that have a ex.port beside it is the ex. as the intake will not have the ex. next to it.
I think it should be
ex.18 int.12  int.12   ex.18  ex.18   int.12   int.12 ex.18
and be shure to use push rod caps , lil clip on things that keep the oil from going all over the motor and on you if you do not have them go to a parts place or tool shop and pick them up as they are cheep should be under 10.00 . it will save you from having to gunk the engine clean ..- also you will know if the setting is the right one as the motor will tell you right away ok. e-mail me at bigw45@aol.com if you need any more help as if done wrong you will burn out that camshaft and lifters fast . good luck
roger