Boswell,
Ok got out my old Motor's Auto Repair Manual and it has two lifter options for 54. I have a couple of suggestions and one correction to what I have told you.
1954 6 std tr. solids set to .006 int and .016 exhaust. I had told you .013 for exhaust-ok.
1954 6 Auto Trans hydraulic valve lifters set all to 1+1/2 turns past no clatter point-ok.
They added a Service Note: "To be sure that valves and lifters function perfectly, it is strongly recommended that a vacuum guage be used when making adjustments on hydraulic lifters. With vacuum guage connected and engine idling, tighten each rocker arm unitl the highest and steadinest vacuum is indicated on the guage" Do this with each valve.
The only way to be sure which lifters you have is to take off the side cover behind the distributor. If you do this, try and save the gasget as it may be difficult. Then look at where the pushrod is resting, if you see a sort of a wire spring clip deal on the lifter top they are old hydraulics or a lifter that seems to be comprised of multiple parts and not a solid piece you have hydraulics. I did not explain this very well, maybe someone could jump in here.
I might have suggested this in previous posts? I think if I were you I would set the valves as they were solids. Using .006 and .016 settings. You will know immediately if that is a mistake. Again you will have some rocker arm clatter with the .016, thats ok. after you are done start engine and let idle with the vacuum guage hooked up. If the vac is high 19-22 you have the valves correct and can be confident you have set solids lifters.
Tim
Tim
