[Just dune it]

I am putting a solid cam and lifter set in my 87 YJ 4.2. I'm wondering once I put in the lifters how will I be able to adjust the lifter lash? Do I need shims or will I have to have studs put in my head?

[cjjeeper258]

Just curious, why are you going to solid lifters and cam?

To answer your question, once the cam is in and the new lifters are installed:

Disable the motor so it can only crank over but not start. Then you run through the firing order and check the clearance between the top of the valve and bottom of the rocker arm with a feelers gauge when the valve is closed. You want both the intake and exhaust valves closed (on compression stroke) to accomplish this. I don't know the correct clearance but someone here will be able to fill that in. Go through the firing order. If you tighten the rocker arm too far, it will mess with the performance of your engine.

**It is possible you may only have to torque the rocker arm nuts to a specified setting. Consult a rebuild manual.

Also I have seen people with the motor running, loosen the rocker arm until the lifter starts to tick and then tighten until the tick goes away, and then take the rocker arm nut 1/4 turn tighter. This way the lifter is in the 'ballpark'.

[jeepdaddy2000]

Originally Posted by cjjeeper258

Also I have seen people with the motor running, loosen the rocker arm until the lifter starts to tick and then tighten until the tick goes away, and then take the rocker arm nut 1/4 turn tighter. This way the lifter is in the 'ballpark'.

This is how you adjust SBC lifters, however, they are hydraulic. To adjust solid lifters, you will need to find out what the clearances are for the intake and exhaust valves. Roll each piston up to TDC on the compression stroke and use a feeler gauge to obtain the proper clearances. You will also have to install studs in the head and use a nylok nut to make this work. personally, I can't find a reason to switch.