Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Zero valve lash for solid lifters?

I'm thinking about valve lash settings a lot in the last time.
Given that on a 261 with solid lifters the lash gets wider when hot, I was questioning my self - why would you want anything more than zero lash (when cold)?

From what I know, hydraulic lifters always try to keep it zero lash, when the engine is running. So zero lash (or as close as possible) is a good thing - right?


With solid lifters we can't have that - the next best thing would be to set the lash to zero (cold) and live with whatever gap they end up when hot.

Did I miss something? Would there be any adverse effects?

Why is there a spec for anything more than zero (when cold) anyway, when the gap widens at operation temperature?
Why would I want a gap in the first place - what is it for?

Frank