The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop adjusting valves on '53 gmc 228

I have looked and searched and can find chevy adjustments but none on gmc. My son's is '53 gmc 228 and could anyone supply us with the correct procedure. Is it done with engine hot or cold? Thank you

Hy jdzcno, both Chev and GMC sixes have the same firing order, so what would work on a Chev engine will work on a GMC engine, hope that helps.

The procedure would be the same - the settings would, most likely, be different .

This explanation suggests .012 for intake and .20 for exhaust

I believe valve adjustments in general are usually, if not always, done hot.

oldgmctrucks.com is a great resource for ya.

i take mine for a ride before i do them because where i live by the time i get home the engine is good and hot. i have everything ready so when i get home and do it as soon as i shut it down before it has time to cool down.

oldgmctrucks has a easy tried and true method.

Final valve adjustment settings are always done on fully warmed-up engines. Shop/Maintenance manuals always stress this (run for 30 minutes before setting valve lash).

Another factor that affects valve lash adjustments on old engines is that the valve-to-tappet (rocker arm) contact point can become quite warn and a groove gets warn into the contact face on the tappet. A good adjustment is impossible unless that contract surface is smooth (a jack-leg work-around was to use thin feeler gauges - ugh). This concern is described in some of the valve lash setting tech tips.