need valve lash or rocker value clearance

Hello, first time posting. My name is Carl Jimz, Highland Calif. I just purchased a 1957 ford fairlane 500 club sedan. I love this car. The motor is presently out of the car to change the front and rear main seal. I need to adjust the valve lash and need some help. It is a 312 thunderbird v8. Automatic trans. all original motor. Any help would be apprectiated. Thanks.

You located in the community just outside of San Bernardino?

The official book for valve adjustments does not give a number for a cold adjustment. My old booklet from Ford dated about 1962 said to use 0.015" for cold setting. Considering the wear factor, this may be a bit on the high side, for you may be measuring across the lumps and bumps of irregular mating pieces. The measurements are always based upon smooth surfaces.

Wm.

[img]/forums/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]Yes, I am right outside of San Bernardino in Highland Calif. 2 minutes from Redlands Calif. Thanks for your help. Carl

I have a little brochure that I obtained via Ford, which was authored by Ray Brock about 1962 or so. Problem being is that there were two different rocker arm ratios. A 1:1.43 and a 1:1.54 Most of the engines up to 1957-58 used the big ratio, whereas those from 1958 to 1962 used the smaller 1.43 ratio rockers.

Cannot find what else have been looking for but the brochure calls for a HOT setting of .019" and I seem to remember we used to add .002" on to any hot figure for a cold equivalent. This in order to set something and get the engine going after a rebuild. For there are always numerous leaks and other problems to iron out once the engine coughs to life.

If you have one of the aftermarket camshafts, they used to recommend setting the valves at about .030" or so at HOT. But my old Isky catalogue says .018" for theirs when hot.


I wonder as there is a Northern California city with similar title. I am to S.W. of San Beranrdino, onna cliff overlooking the city.


Wm.