MNathan

cdan34, which valve locks did you use? Ford or Chevy?

I have a 1941 Zephyr with V12. I am getting the dreaded lifter tick and want to inspect the valve clearance in the valley. do I need to remove the heads before the intake, or can I just pull the intake, hoping to drive a bit more while waiting* for parts. . .

I own a ‘41 V12 in a Lincoln Zephyr that came with aftermarket Edmunds intake and heads on the running engine. It runs well, but has a tick I believe is valve clearance or a failing hydraulic lifter. I wanted to remove the intake to inspect valve clearance, check the lifters and add a crankcase hole for a PCV. After unbolting everything, I find out I cannot get the Edmunds two carb intake off without removing one of the Edmunds heads. Cannot twist/slide it far enough to one side to clear the last intake port. I get these engines had hydraulic lifters so service was minimal, but is this common with finned heads for V12’s? Did not this issue with the 2 other flatheads I’ve rebuilt. Does anyone know if popping a head was part of required factory service for valley inspection? I guess i’ll have to massage the heads a bit so the intake can slide in and out when I put the solid cam in and will need a regular adjustment.

Anyone ever followed advice in Jake Fleming's The HV-12 Rebuilding Bible related to substituting Chevrolet Exhaust Valves in their rebuild? I have a print of the article from the LZOC and in the follow on FAQ a fellow named Les Keeton suggests that even though they are a tad longer, they are a better quality valve. He provided guidance to stem height for hydraulic lifters and 1 piece guides. I plan to use solid adjustable lifters on an isky cam. The clarification I need, is that he directs one to use the "1st valve keeper groove" and references a photo that is missing from the print. As the Chevy valve has a 2 groove keeper, I am looking to his reference as "1st groove" being the top or bottom groove on the Chevy valve? I guess experimenting with installed spring height and seat pressure may tell, but I need to know before that stage, as there are a lot of inexpensive performance stainless steel chevy valves with smooth stems and swirl polish to improve flow of the small V-12 ports, and most of the performance valves only have a single keeper groove.