Valve Clearance - Number of cylinders

Do you use the checking springs?


Just to be clear, I wasn’t saying not to use checking springs.

Most pistons today come with valve notches deep enough for way more cam than most guys need.

I also use the gasket and lash to calculate p/v clearance.

To that end, most guys can use checking springs and skip the clay. Just know if you do that and it says you only have for example only .075 on the intake with the checking spring, know you probably have another .020 at least because rocker flex isn’t accounted for.

When you start running your valves as close to the pistons as I do, then you need to use clay or you end up making your valve pockets deeper than they need to be.

And that hurts power.