I just got my 69 Camaro BB car and it has some valve chatter... I remember back in highschool we used to adjust while running and make a complete mess of the engine bay...Smoke..What a mess... And this is a Frame off Resotred car I would rather not make the huge mess... I have heard folks say you can adjust hydrualics cold! Does anyone have instructions or opinions!


Thanks in for the help!

 

You can do hydraulics cold, hot, or running. It really does not make much difference if you follow the proper procedure. However, solids give best results if done hot & running, but be aware of the oil mess.

 

Big block/small block, makes no difference...http://www.centuryperformance.com/ad...h-spg-149.html

 

Some oil deflector clips will help a lot with controlling the splatter.
Another tip/trick is to get an old valve cover and cut the top out of it,slip it on with a couple bolts for temporary while you adjust the valves.

 

I had another thought. You have a Yenko "clone". If the guy built the car accurate to the nut, your engine has solid lifters. There's a totally different procedure for adjusting the valves (you use a feeler gauge). Keep in mind though, that a solid lifter engine will clack until it warms up.

 

You beat me to it Camaro 69! I was just thinking he better be positive of what cam it has in it before adjusting the lifters at all! Heck, my solid lifter cam clicks a little at idle hot or cold. It's always a better thing to have the lifters slightly loose than a little too tight, as when the rpm's go up the clearances can cause a valve to not quite close.
If that is a solid lifter cam, and you adjust it to hydraulic specs you'll burn some valves!

 

Yeah,the solid lifter 427 I had always made some lifter noise as is typical with solids.
Too tight and at the very east you'll bend pushrods.