[andy669]

Sorry Jeff, but the place to check P to V is not TDC. You'll have all kinds of clearance there since the valves are closed.

I use a lifter that I have 'blocked up' to make it act like a solid.

Assemble the rocker arms and pushrods, set the lifters at zero lash. With a dial indicator on the exhaust retainer rotate the crank until you see the the dial reach close to 1/2 of max lift. Push down on the retainer until you feel the valve touch the piston and record the distance traveled off of the indicator.

Different cam profiles are going to have different results so its impossible to say that you shoud check at .xxx lift. Its a good idea to check every 50 thou up until max lift.

With the cams I have checked this way, the closest point on the exhaust side was around .400, and it was around .200 on the intake.

I have a modified pair of big channel lock pliers that I use to hook on to the rocker arm and push down on the retainer, but I check at full spring pressure and take in to account some pushrod deflection. Checker springs work fine and are alot easier.

Andy