Ive got a 1975 Camaro with a 383 stroker that i recently overhauled the heads on. Including removing the old press-in rocker studs(that was the project from hell) and doing a 3 angle valve grind on the seats. But i need to know what to set the rocker arm to valve stem clearance at. I was told it should be 0.030" but im really not sure. Its got a fairly aggressive cam in it as well, its a .490 lift, but i have no way to measure the duration because i don't have a degree wheel. And heres the kicker, its got solid flat tappet lifters too.

 

.030" is pretty common for solid lifter cams. You don't need a degree wheel to set them. Turn the engine to TDC on the balancer mark, then set #1 int/exh valves at .030" with a feeler gauge. You can look at the pushrods as you turn the engine to see when each is at TDC, then adjust them to .030" also. A 90 degree turn of the engine will bring them up to TDC, so if you use a tape measure you can wrap it around your balancer and get a total circumference measurement, then divide by 4 and get the distance for each 90 degree mark.
Now just turn it 90 degrees to the next mark and adjust the next pair of valves. I usually go through them at least twice to double check the settings, but second time is just slipping the feeler gauge in to see if it's loose or just fits. Remember, 8 cl. so it takes two times through to get them all, then two times through to check them all again!
Or you can just run over to Advance Auto parts and buy a Mr Gasket for $30. They usually have them in stock.

 

Mine were .026 intake .024 exhaust on my old solid roller. But heres how I do mine the video explains way better than I could. YouTube - Valve Lash Adjustment Video - Engine Building Car Repair DVD

 

I was looking for the mark on the harmonic balancer today, and i could not find it to save my life. there were 2 grooves about an inch and a half apart on the outside of the balancer, but thats all i could find. Would it be right on the front of it?

 

on the skinny side.

 

The mark is on the outside edge of the balancer. If in doubt you can turn the engine with the valve cover off until the distributor gets to #1, then check both valves on #1 to ensure the rocker arms are at their lowest point, then look at the balancer to see if you can see a mark close and move it to the mark.
If you can't find any mark for some reason, then you'll have to pull #1 plug and check the piston for TDC.

 

Opps .024 intake .026 exhaust BTW do it when its hot.