I recently read about setting the valve lash at 0.0" in a type IV engine. He was running swivel foot adjusters. How can this be??????? If so it would certainly make the engine quieter.

Randy

You were probably reading about someone who was using chromoly pushrods, instead of the stock aluminum ones. Aluminum ones expand when they get hot.

Yes, I remember that now. Is that a good idea?

Randy

It is what is recommended for the Chromoly material. I have them and attempt to set them that way, with swivel foot adjusters. The Chromoly does not expand the same amount as OEM. You adjust with the engine cold.

If the foot will spin and my smallest feeler gauge will NOT fit, I call that ZERO.

I think I remember reading that the non-swivel foot method would be to attempt to spin the push-rod.

Next adjustment cycle I plan to check that.

Here is a question for the group. If you did not install Chromoly yourself, how do you know if you have them or not? Let's say, on a recent car purchase, or maybe the PO told you and you want to verify.

Does a magnet stick to chromoly?

I dont know because the only item I have that I am sure is chromoly are my pushrods in the engine...

If you have dual springs mild steel PR's will bend like pretzels.
I think CrMo and steel would have about the same expansion rates.
I always spin the PR to get zero lash.

I have dual springs to allow for higher revs but I may go back to standard singles and eliminate some potential problems. The chromaloy push rods sound like a good way to go since I already have the swivel foot adjusters. Randy

I believe the Chromo pushrods are noticeably thinner than the aluminum ones.

--DD

That they are.

What problems?

You may also cause problems if you have a performance cam. Your head spring bosses would be cut if you have dual springs and if you install a single it will not have the interior boss support.

Thanks for that tip. Engines are really not that complicated. I have several successful rebuilds under my belt but all were basically stock. It's amazing how many small things a person has to know or learn to even mildly modify an engine and have it work! Randy

has anyone studied the difference that the swivel foot adjusters deliver versus the stock adjusters?

Based upon the geometry, the stock adjusters actually spin the valve each cycle just a bit.
Does that still occur with the swivel foot adjusters?
Are they more accurate in maintaining the correct adjustments over the long period?

rich

I've wondered the same. Cant see how they would as spinning the valve would take much more resistance than spinning the swivel foot, so My guess would be the valve does not spin, the swivel head does.