I set out to do a maintenence valve adjustment and found that all the valves were way out of spec. I found an intake at .040 and the spec is .014. Big blocks with solid rollers are known for eating lifters. Jason Pettis(My engine builder) recommended an inspection due to the lash. By the way, I have nothing but the utmost confidence in Pettis. He's there and cares. It's the best engine I've ever experienced. I tore it down and can't find a damn thing wrong. The cam is smooth and the lifters looks good. The rocker push rod cups look to be the most worn. I just don't understands where .024 went on my loosest intake. I guess it could be a sum of things. The weird thing was it wasn't noisy or running bad. It was a maintenence adjustment. I'm going to send the photos to Jason and take his recommendation. Right now it looks like I can put it back together and lash the valves.
With a aluminum block and heads, the lash actually increases by .012-.015 due to the expansion of the block and heads. On an iron block/iron head engine the valves can actually get tighter. Iron block/aluminum heads only grow a little. To set the valves cold requires only around .005 and that is a chore. It's like slipping a wet noodle into.....
Yes, a solid roller big block is more maintenence than a LS. I'll take my ZL-1. It's just a love afair. One day I want to slap the bitch and the next I can't believe how damn good she makes me feel.
Brian Hobaugh SCCA National Tour June 2014
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