[olddog]

Strange, I never actually used clay to check valve clearance, and I new it was the best way. I have measure the valve stem movement with the valve spring off. In my defense, that was back in my puppy days.

I was surprised how close the intake valve comes to the notch in the piston. Especially surprising to me after seeing the exhaust is a mile away, in comparison. I never gave clearance radially from the valve to the piston cut any thought. Measuring the valve stem travel, only measures one dimension. The edge of the valve may only have 0.002" clearance from the cut in the piston, and that method of measure wouldn't tell you that. That would get ugly when things heated up.

I learned something today. I'll never miss this step again.

Thanks