Proper way to tighten Poly Locks?

[ShawnQ]

I've heard/read about ten different methods for setting valve lash and tightening down the poly locks for my solid lift/flat tappet cam.

What's the preferred method?

Some people say snug the adjusting nut, then run your set screw down, then give a 1/4 turn on BOTH the set screw and the adjusting nut to tighten them both.

Some people say snug your adjusting nut to your proper clearance, then run the screw down.

I'm trying to get my valves set on this thing and want to do it right, and would rather not have them back out.

Any help is appreciated.

ShaunT, you out there? You explained this to me on the phone but I've since forgotten..

[racrguy]

The way I do it on my race car is I set the adjusting screw a VERY small amount on the loose side, run down the set screw, then tighten to desired resistance. I'd say maybe a 1/16th of a turn is about average, no way would I go 1/4. That's just begging to mushroom the set screw. IMO

[ShawnQ]

So you adjust the adjusting screw down to where there is a little too much 'play' in your lash/feeler gauge, then turn the set-screw down, THEN tighten both together to close your lash?

[racrguy]

Pretty much. I run my valves a little on the tight side. I'd show you how I set mine, but I'm not in TX.

Pretty much run the adjuster down till you feel resistance on the feeler gauge (I move it around to check resistance) then I run the set screw down, not tight, just down to contact, then set final lash. I will usually have to bump the wrench a bit to get the lash like I like it.

[black50]

i dont do it that way. I just set the clearance that i want, then tighten the hell out of the set screw. Have never had one back off on me doing it that way. I think that you are asking for trouble doing it the way yall guys are talking. imo

[turbostang]

i dont do it that way. I just set the clearance that i want, then tighten the hell out of the set screw. Have never had one back off on me doing it that way. I think that you are asking for trouble doing it the way yall guys are talking. imo

Asking for trouble? How so?

Asking for trouble is using a 7/32" allen wrench to lock a 3/8" setscrew to hold a rocker adjuster in place when that rocker's cycling a few thousand times a minute!

WHat they've described above is how I've done it for years. The only part you have to be careful of is if you use the "thin" bodied poly locks - they can split when you give the wrench a nudge.

[Lason]

Yep I run the valve down, back off about a 1/8 turn, run the lock down and snug it. Then I tighten both another 1/8 turn.

I really dont like doing it that way though because sometimes I have to untighten it and re-do it if I check lash and figure out I went too far or too little but its the only way I have been able to keep the locks tightened down.

[racrguy]

Well, I've had the same poly's on the same race engine for 5 seasons with the motor spinning 8k so I doubt I'll be changing my ways anytime soon

[black50]

The only part you have to be careful of is if you use the "thin" bodied poly locks - they can split when you give the wrench a nudge.

thats what i was thinking, or stripping the stud.

[Zfan]

Asking for trouble? How so?

Asking for trouble is using a 7/32" allen wrench to lock a 3/8" setscrew to hold a rocker adjuster in place when that rocker's cycling a few thousand times a minute!

WHat they've described above is how I've done it for years. The only part you have to be careful of is if you use the "thin" bodied poly locks - they can split when you give the wrench a nudge.

X2

[ShawnQ]

Thanks guys. That's how I starrted doing it yesterday but didn't finish. It takes a while to get them all the same.