Checking Valve Clearance with Head Off

[cboling]

Can the valve clearances (shims / adjustment) be accurately performed with the head off the motor as opposed to being installed? I have mine off right now and would like to get this out of the way if possible.

Thanks,
CB

[lopee]

I don't believe so, someone else will answer in. Pretty sure you want everything torqued and the timing set. You set w/ just the valve cover off. you use the bolt on the ignition to move crank, which lines the cam's lobes up where you need them. So after thinking that, NO, you can not set the valve clearances without it assembled.

[dgyver]

Installed or not, the clearance from the valves to the cams does not change. Just make sure you do not have an oil film that is normally squished out from rotating the cams. Timing has nothing to do with valve to cam clearance. I have set valve clearances several times this way.