Hello to all, I have a 1950 Merc Flathead that I just had all bored and such. Im replacing the valves and I have a set of Isky adjustable lifters with the adjuster wrenches. I understand how the wrenches work. What I want to know is what's the right way to adjust them? meaning do I have the number one piston at top dead center, does it really matter? There are not any real good videos as how to adjust them. I know the intake and exhaust gap for the cam I put in. Basically I have the cam, crank, pistons, lifters, and valves in so far. And I figured I should probably adjust them before I get any farther. Any help would be appreciated....
I’ve never done a FHV8, but a few Dodge 6’s. I make sure valves are closed and set gap. I’d assume the same for you? I also roll the engine over a few times, recheck again.
You want to make sure that the lifter is on the heel of the cam when you adjust. For me, I bring #1 to top dead center on the compression stroke and then set both intake and exhaust valve. Then I roll the crank 90degrees so the next one in the firing order is at tdc and set those valves. After I'm done I do it again to check that it is correct.
The Intake valve will be adjusted when the exhaust valve of the same cylinder is just starting to open and you will adjust the exhaust valve when the intake valve is just starting to close. Simple as that !
Yea, sorry I neglected to say make sure the lifter is on the base circle of the cam. If it just came off the base circle and closed you would set it too tight.
I use the companion cylinder method watch the cylinder half way down the firing order when the exhaust valve closes and the intake starts to open that cylinder is at TDC exhaust and the companion cylinder is a TDC compression set it. Turn the engine until the next cylinder in the firing order valves move and set it's companion cylinder.
Maybe check out this thread https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...exer-for-ford-flathead.1004332/#post-12852595
There is a way to do this in a '42 service manual I have. It tells which valves can be adjusted when which of the other valves are open/closed. There is another way to do this but it doesn't sound like you are far enough along to use it. Set the #1 cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke. Make sure the TDC mark on the front pulley is where it should be. Set the distributor so the points are just starting to open and mark the position on the distributor body and rotor. Adjust both valves on #1 then turn the engine and align the rotor with the next cylinder in firing order with points just starting to open . Continue around the firing order and, if done properly, the valves should be set correctly. Kind of fiddly for me.
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