353 detroit valve adjustment

[Timbercruiser]

Just wanted to ask everyone about the valve lash on a 353 detroit. What is the lash supposed to be ? And did they ever recomend doing it for regular maintainance ?  I have to change the valve cover gasket and wondered if the valve lash should be checked ???

[John Woodworth]

 cold not running adj. pushrod to .012 and tighten and check with a .010 it should pass through and the .012 should not.
Hot engine , normal temp. .08 yes, .010 no.     This is for a 2 valve head.

4 valve cold .027 and tighten pushrod, if correct .025 will pass through, .027 no.
normal temp. .023 yes, .025 no. If your doing it warm be sure to keep the engine temp. up.

[Timbercruiser]

Thanks alot

[bushmechanic]

You may as well adjust the injector height as this is also part of the tune-up for the 353.The height tool is 1.460 on a N45 or N50 injector.

[Timbercruiser]

You may as well adjust the injector height as this is also part of the tune-up for the 353.The height tool is 1.460 on a N45 or N50 injector.

Thanks alot how often do they recomend tuning this stuff ?

[Kamlander]

Timbercruiser did you end up doing that valve maintenance ?   My 3-53 in my 78' 230 doesn't start that well cold but when warm fires right up.    Reminds me of symptoms of valve adjustment and upon searching I came across this thread.