Valve adjustment?

[falcon428]

I am getting ready to adjust the valves on my Pond motor in the Comet.  Just wondering if there is anything different to take in consideration on an aftermarket all Aluminum motor?  I have the cold settings that Robert recommended.  It has Edelbrock heads and Shelby roller rockers.  Need to pop a valve cover off to see what size the adjuster and allen key lock is, was thinking of ordering a tool to do this, figured it would be easier than fumbling around?

Sorry for the newbie question, just alot of money in the motor to use as a learning tool.  Love it and ready to take it to the track again.

Thanks!!
Rodney

[jayb]

On my all aluminum engines I've had to set the valve lash at near zero to get the correct lash at operating temperature.  If you have aluminum heads you will normally see the lash open up about .008" from dead cold to operating temperature, and the same thing happens to a larger degree with aluminum block engines.  On my 511" FE with Edelbrock heads and Shelby block, the lash opened up a total of .015" from cold to operating temperature.

[Cyclone03]

I have this tool and I love it!
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LSM-TQ-100-3/

Being I have an FE in a Mustang I of course had to modify the correct allen wrench by shortening it.
I keep it in my track box so it's redy to go.