55 car with standard transmission 235 has solid lifters. Without polishing out the divots in the rocker arm faces, you can adjust the valves while the engine is running to close the gaps and quiet down the clacking. To do this, turn down the idle as low as possible without stalling, and use a wrench and a stubby screwdriver to adjust. You have to learn to develop noodle arms, wrists and hands to have success doing this, as muscling it is counter-productive. Tighten it until you start to here a miss (this is the valve not closing because you tightened it too tight). Then back it off until the miss goes away plus a little more for your final clearance. You should be able to feel the clacking in your hands to know how much to loosen or tighten to achieve your final clearance.
Last edited by 52Carl; 09/10/2013 8:40 PM.
