Re: Valve lash cold on 288 engine

Posted by Fred Puhn On 2009/7/23 12:04:32

Thanks to everyone who gave me good advice. The valve adjustment was very quick and easy because of the following "improvements" over the factory method:
1. Mechanic sat on a stool under the right fender with the car hoisted to a convenient position.
2. Engine was cold. we used .009 on intakes and .015 on the exhaust valves to compensate for thermal expansion, based on hot vs cold settings for a Hudson flathead engine.
3. Right side removable access panel, right front wheel, exhaust system, radiator, cylinder head, fuel pump, and crankcase breather are all removed from the car.
4. I helped the mechanic by cranking the engine to TDC, watching which valves open, and telling him what cylinder to adjust. We ran the entire process twice to be sure.

The entire adjustment process took only about 30 minutes! However tearing the car apart for access and putting it back together is about a 2 week job!!! I hope I do not need frequent valve adjustments.

Thanks again Packard owners.