Maximum Lash Ramp Rate?

-

nm9stheham

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 20, 2013
Messages
12,087
Reaction score
4,281
Location
Waynesboro, VA
Just looking for data points here. The question is what is the maximum acceptable lash closure rate rate (or lobe velocity) for when a solid lifter lash is taken up on the valve opening. This would also the rate for when the valve closes.) This would be measured in inches per degree.

I have a reference here that says up to .001" per degree is OK. How to Determine Lash

And if you care to know, I am having some fits with some hydraulic lifters on another engine, and am thinking of putting solids in. I have profiled the cam in detail, and know the lobe velocity in detail. So I think I am fine (it is an old cam design with slooow initial and final ramps), but am just looking for any other data points on this. Tnx.
 
Last edited:
Just looking for data points here. The question is what is the maximum acceptable lash closure rate rate (or lobe velocity) for when a solid lifter lash is taken up on the valve opening. This would also the rate for when the valve closes.) This would be measured in inches per degree.

I have a reference here that says up to .001" degree is OK. How to Determine Lash

And if you care to know, I am having some fits with some hydraulic lifters on another engine, and am thinking of putting solids in. I have profiled the cam in detail, and know the lobe velocity in detail. So I think I am fine (it is an old cam design with slooow initial and final ramps), but am just looking for any other data points on this. Tnx.

I went threw 3 sets of lifters back and forth with Summit Racing who was way cool about the matter. The last set had 9 of the Hyd. lifters that would not budge, like they were a solid lift.
I took them apart, reseated the internal spring and they now work fine.
 
That is a lot to put up with RF! That is poor manufacturing work.

Yeah, the problems seem to be getting gradually worse. The hydraulics I have are showing excessive leak-down on some of them. You stop the engine, wait 5 minutes and 1-2 of them will leak down all the way if they stopped with their valve open. And 1 of those will not pump up.

They are regrinds on the bodies, which I have no problem with, but I think whoever is doing them is not properly matching the plunger OD to the body ID at re-assembly. That clearance is all over the map from .0001" to .0010" or a bit more, out of a set of 8. I found an old book reference where they talked about sorting the plungers into size bins by plunger OD, and then matching the plunger and body to keep a clearance around .0003". It is on page 87 here: Big-Block Chevy Performance

So that is the frustration. I think that a lot of the knowledge in these parts has been lost or thrown out as time has gone by and the prior generation of manufacturers has departed the scene.
 
-
Back
Top