Another FE valve lash question

[sracer5]

I have a 64 427CO with 64 high rise heads , all iron with solid lifters in my ERA. I would like to check/adjust my lifters , but the cobra was built in the late 90s and I don’t know the cam specs. Would it be best to check all clearances cold , warm the engine and then check hot. Use the numbers to come up with a reasonable lash # ? Or is there a base number to start with ?

[patrickt]

What a great question. An all-iron FE is most likely going to have an "old school" gap. I would set them COLD at .022" and then take it for a nice long drive and listen and feel how it behaves. Then try going up .002" and then going down .002" and see what you hear and feel. I think you'll be in the ballpark though right out of the gate. And as a rough rule, the COLD lash on an all iron FE is going to be about the same, or maybe .002" more, than the HOT lash. I hate lashing hot engines, I always do mine cold.