A technical question that was asked today at shop

Thought this might be a different flair to what we are used to------------------------What is the most lift you can use on a cam in a stock V8 chevy on first generation motor without valves hitting pistons.I thought it was a good question because soldier wants a car with the really rough idle and he is fixing to change his cam and lifters. Lets hear it from you great builders of yesteryear.
updated by @johnny-mallonee: 12/05/16 04:10:12PM

A Hydrolic roller LT4 Hot Cam .525 lift on both intake and exhaust. That should rumble the parking lot.

Allowing for .090 for intake valve and .100 exhaust valve to piston clearance theoretically you could use .528 lift cam as long as stock 1.5 ratio rocker arms are used and stock cam timing without having to make valve reliefs in the piston.

Got to consider gasket thickness, block decking and and how much the heads are shaved as well. S.T.A.R.S. Radio said:

Allowing for .090 for intake valve and .100 exhaust valve to piston clearance theoretically you could use .528 lift cam as long as stock 1.5 ratio rocker arms are used and stock cam timing without having to make valve reliefs in the piston.

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Founder/Creator - RacersReunion®

Chevy small blocks used to have "0" rockers with a longer slot travel for high-lift cams.If you try to use the stock "triangle" rockers, they will bind on the rocker stud.Good way to bend push rods!